| Non-conformity |
The majority of participants sees disobedience as non-conformity with regulations, “to oppose regulations and laws, to disregard regulations and standards” (Participant 2), regardless whether these regulations make sense or not. In the case of regulations being absurd, non-conformity with laws is legally justified and “it lies in the hands of the acting person and not in the hands of the superior” (Participant 45). |
| Types of authority |
Disobedience is perceived with different types of authority, such as social, political, familial or institutional policies. More semantic difference is made between family and public “disobedience only at home, means violating of regulations” (Participant 3). Some perceived authority in the form of conventions “not to hold on to social norms” (Participant 5); others even refer to regulation as “advice and opinion of others” (Participant 75). |
| Self-Mastery (determination) |
Opinions belong in this category of self-mastery that reflect disobedience as an act of self-determination, when one decides his/her destiny without accepting the commands from others “doing his own thing” (Participant 6). It also can be seen as an attempt to be different, special, or not following the mainstream, “to be unique” (Participant 5). It can result in one`s frustration or be used to test boundaries. |
| Conscious/unconscious |
The different approach towards disobedience shows the answers of those participants who mentioned conscious-unconscious reactions to disobedience “A conscious or unconscious protest against demands made by a superior person or a system (Participant 35). |
| Negative/positive connotation |
There is a distinction concerning disobedience between negative and positive connotation. Some participants connect it to negativity because it reminds them of negative authority, and others to positivity because they refer to rebellion. One participant has more objectivity when he expresses his thoughts on the subject as “Whether an action is to be evaluated as positive or negative depends on the case” (Participant 10). |
| Hierarchy |
Disobedience has something to do with hierarchy as well. There has to be a superior-inferior relationship in order to act as an authority. Without such a presumption there is no disobeying, “not following superiors’ instructions” (Participant 34). |
| Force and punishment |
Disobedience is associated with force and punishment. For some participants suppressing disobedience violently makes it possible to gain power over others “The alleged authority becomes real when disobedience is violently suppressed” (Participant 22). To stand up against authority can and will be punished, many associate disobedience in the family context, as in teaching or educating children to obey. Disobedience can bring sanctions” (Participant 58). It is also seen as a lack of respect for authority, regardless of whether in public or in the family. |
| Future orientation |
The category future orientation reflects on disobedience as an important part of an upbringing. It can have negative consequences for the future if children do not learn it in childhood “belongs to growing-up, to learning for the future (Participant 25). |
| Opposite of obedience |
Some participants expressed their thoughts on disobedience as the opposite of obedience, claiming that only “in combination with obedience is a definition possible” Participant 62). |
