OBEDIENT DEFINITION:submissive to authority CATEGORIES:achievement, interactive, moral SIMILAR ATTRIBUTES:biddable, compliant, dutiful, submissive, tame, well-behaved POSSIBLE CAUSES: A subservient nature Having been taught the importance of respecting authority Seeing the value of authority in society Fear of retribution A desire to please The belief that following the rules leads to reward A strong sense of fairness Seeing others be punished for asking questions or displaying independent thinking Coming from a strict religious or military background that required obedience Gratitude and loyalty; obeying someone because of what they did in the past ASSOCIATED BEHAVIORS: Following orders immediately Reading the manual before assembling an item Seeking out the advice of people in authority Trusting that those in authority have one’s best interests at heart Obeying an order or rule despite private misgivings Proactively getting approval before acting Understanding that everyone has a part to play for society to function Being a team player Carrying out tasks efficiently Believing that something greater is at work and feeling appreciation for it Respecting order (keeping a neat room, being organized, etc.) Obeying rules even if it’s inconvenient (driving the speed limit, making curfew, etc.) Encouraging others to follow the rules Feeling relief to not be the one making the tough decisions Tattling when others fail to comply Expressing resentment when those who don’t follow the rules escape punishment Wanting to know the expectations of those in charge Feeling safe and protected Being a law-abiding citizen Following through on responsibilities at work or school; being dependable Joining organizations or clubs that have a clear hierarchy Loyalty Respectfully speaking to and about those in authority Becoming uncomfortable when others question those in authority Experiencing confusion when those in authority do something unusual or untrustworthy Consistency Seeking the approval of authority figures rather than the approval of one’s peers Being easily cowed Feeling trepidation when breaking even an innocent rule Feeling shame when one breaks a rule and is discovered Choosing to hang out with other obedient people ASSOCIATED THOUGHTS: It’s a dumb rule but I’ll follow it anyway. Mom said to do it, so I will. If everyone just followed the rules, we wouldn’t have all these problems in the world. I did such a good job on this project. Good thing Emily gave me an outline to follow. ASSOCIATED EMOTIONS:happiness, indifference, resignation, satisfaction POSITIVE ASPECTS:Obedient characters are loyal and trusting. Reliable, responsible, and fairly predictable, they will usually do what they’re told without causing trouble. Their belief in upholding the social order makes them upstanding citizens. NEGATIVE ASPECTS:Whatever the reason for their compliance, obedient characters may have trouble thinking for themselves; this can be used for ill as well as for good. If asked, the devoutly obedient character might find himself doing things he never would have done, simply because someone he trusts asked him to. Having pledged his allegiance to those in charge, he might have trouble believing or even suspecting that those same people might be untrustworthy. EXAMPLE FROM LITERATURE:Despite his impoverished and difficult life, Charlie Bucket (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) is a hopeful and obedient boy. His tour of the Wonka factory involves some strange rules that the other ticket winners unhesitatingly flout. But Charlie does what he’s told and is eventually rewarded for his good behavior.Other Examples from Literature and Film:Darth Vader (Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope), Grace Van Pelt (The Mentalist), Ofelia (Pan’s Labyrinth) TRAITS IN SUPPORTING CHARACTERS THAT MAY CAUSE CONFLICT:adventurous, controlling, free-spirited, intelligent, mischievous, observant, rebellious, resentful, rowdy, selfish, silly, suspicious CHALLENGING SCENARIOS FOR THE OBEDIENT CHARACTER: PLOTLINE: Being asked to do something that goes against one’s moral code PLOTLINE: Learning that the motives or character of those in authority may be questionable PLOTLINE: Conflicting interests, such as wanting to obey a teacher while wanting to conform to one’s peers PLOTLINE: Being paired with an independent thinker who enjoys flouting authority PLOTLINE: Having two authority figures who make conflicting requests