Right-Wing Authoritarianism
Bob Altemeyer
Theory
• Set aside ( but didn’t reject )
psychodynamic theory of repression 
projection  displacement
• Adopted “social learning theory”
R.W.A. Components
• Authoritarian submission
• Conventionalism
• Authoritarian aggression
Authoritarian Submission
A high degree of submission to
the authorities who are perceived
to be established and legitimate
in the society in which one lives.
Conventionalism
A high degree of adherence to
the social conventions that are
perceived to be endorsed by
society and its established
authorities.
Authoritarian Aggression
A general aggressiveness,
direted against various persons
[out-groups or deviants], that is
perceived to be sanctioned by
established authorities.
RWA Scale Items
1.
4.
Life imprisonment is justified for certain crimes.
It is important to protect the rights of radicals and
deviants in all ways.
6. Gays and lesbians are just as healthy and moral as
anybody else.
9. The real keys to the “good life” are obedience, discipline,
and sticking to the straight and narrow.
14. There is no “ONE right way” to live life; everybody has
to create their own way.
15. Our country will be destroyed someday if we do not
smash the perversions eating away at our moral fiber
and traditional beliefs.
RWA Scale Items – con’t
21. What our country really needs is a strong, determined
leader who will crush evil, and take us back to our true
path.
25. There is nothing wrong with premarital sexual
intercourse.
30. Obedience and respect for authority are the most
important virtues children should learn.
31. Nobody should “stick to the straight and narrow.”
Instead, people should break loose and try out lots of
different ideas and experiences.
34. The facts on crime, sexual immorality, and the recent
public disorders all show we have to crack down harder
on deviant groups and trouble-makers if we are going to
save our moral standards and preserve law and order.
Factors predicting high R.W.A.
• Family background:
– Strong conventional religious orientation
– Use of physical punishment
– Limited personal experience with people
unlike one’s self
Factors predicting R.W.A.
• Education lowers R.W.A. scores
– Especially among initially high-scorers
• Parenthood raises R.W.A. scores
• 80s were period of higher R.W.A.
• Social crises raise R.W.A.
R.W.A. Correlations
• Acceptance of gov’t violation of rights
r = .50 - .60
• Agreement with attack on bill of rights
r = .40 - .50
• Indifference to human rights violations
r = .60 - .70
• “Possee against radicals” scale
r = .40 - .50
• “Rambo-like crusade” against drugs
r=
• Length of sentences for criminals
r = .40 - .50
. 37
– [ but gave lighter sentences to policeman who beat
protestor; and to officer who massacred Vietnamese ]
R.W.A. Correlations – con’t
• Scales of ethnocentrism
r = .40 - .50
• Homeless are “lazy” nor “unlucky”
r = .40 - .55
• Christian orthodoxy scale
r = .40 - .60
• Traditional gender roles
r = .60 - .80
• Sex -- percent virgins
• Attitudes toward homosexuals
• Right to life
high RWA
low RWA
60% - 70%
30% - 40%
r = .60 -.70
r = .40
R.W.A. Correlations – con’t
• Conservative political parties
(including Communists in Russia)
r = .20 - .40
• Canadian provincial legislators (right vs. left)
r = . 87
• California legislators (cons. Vs. liberal)
r = .54
• Opposition to environmental movement
r = .54
Some Related Theories
&
Recent Research
G. Lakoff: Political Metaphors
• Family serves as metaphor for society
• “Strict Father” family
 Ethic of Strength
• “Nurturant Parent” family
 Ethic of Care
S. Tomkins:
Emotional bases of Ideology
Left
• Primed to identify
with the weak as
“victim” of injustice
Feel “pity” when see
an adult cry
Right
• Primed to condemn
the weak as morally
inferior “loser”
Feel “disgust” when
see an adult cry
J. Jost:
Insecurity & Conservatism
Economic or political insecurity

attitudes shift to conservative,
nationalistic & prejudiced
“Terror Management” Theory
Mortality made salient
(primed by images, words)

attitudes shift to conservative,
nationalistic & prejudiced
Disgust and Attitudes
Disgust made salient
(primed by words, imagery, scents)

attitudes shift to conservative,
nationalistic & prejudiced
K. Stenner: Authoritarian Dynamic
• Predisposition to seek in-group authority,
uniformity, & conformity
• In conditions of social & normative security
 “relaxes,” becomes latent
– Person may hold “liberal” views
• In conditions of social insecurity & norm
conflict  “activated,” becomes manifest
– Racial, political & moral intolerance