Compliance (psychology) - Personality Psychology Vs. Social Psychology

Personality Psychology Vs. Social Psychology

In the study of personality psychology, certain personality disorders display characteristics involving the need to gain compliance or control over others. Individuals suffering from antisocial personality disorder tend to display a glibness and grandiose sense of self-worth. Due to their shallow affect and lack of remorse or empathy, they are better suited to con and/or manipulate others into complying with their wishes. Similar to antisocial personality disorder, those suffering from histrionic personality disorder need to be the center of attention; and in turn, draw people in so they may use (and eventually dispose of) their relationship. Lastly, those with narcissistic personality disorder have an inflated self-importance, hypersensitivity to criticism and a sense of entitlement that compels them to persuade others to comply with their requests.

Social psychologists view compliance as a means of social influence used to reach goals and attain social or personal gains. Rather than concentrating on an individual’s personality or characteristics (that may drive their actions), social psychology focuses on people as a whole and how thoughts, feelings and behaviors allow individuals to attain compliance and/or make them vulnerable to complying with the demands of others. Their gaining of or submission to compliance is frequently influenced by construal—an individual's interpretation of their social environment and interactions.