Comments on: #127 – The Authoritarian Personality with Dr. Robert Altemeyer http://www.shrinkrapradio.com/2007/12/19/127-the-authoritarian-personality/ All the psychology you need to know and just enough to make you dangerous Fri, 10 Feb 2012 23:01:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.5 By: mat http://www.shrinkrapradio.com/2007/12/19/127-the-authoritarian-personality/comment-page-1/#comment-4518 mat Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:43:04 +0000 http://www.shrinkrapradio.com/2007/12/19/127-the-authoritarian-personality/#comment-4518 Thanks for a great website and for helping make Dr. Altemeyer's work more available! Re: any perceived "close-mindedness", Dr. Altemeyer makes it clear that he is not refering to "Right-Wingers" in the political sense, so much as using it to describe the type of folks who happen to score very high on all the RWA attributes (which "fundamentalists" and "Evangelicals" do as well). Unlike "personal opinions", it's clear that he seems to be pretty meticulously "data-driven" when making these observations. That these observations may be uncomfortable for some is another matter. Of course as he also notes, RWA's are particularly resistant to contrary facts or data anyway. Thanks for a great website and for helping make Dr. Altemeyer’s work more available!

Re: any perceived “close-mindedness”, Dr. Altemeyer makes it clear that he is not refering to “Right-Wingers” in the political sense, so much as using it to describe the type of folks who happen to score very high on all the RWA attributes (which “fundamentalists” and “Evangelicals” do as well). Unlike “personal opinions”, it’s clear that he seems to be pretty meticulously “data-driven” when making these observations. That these observations may be uncomfortable for some is another matter. Of course as he also notes, RWA’s are particularly resistant to contrary facts or data anyway.

]]> By: Brandon Dennis http://www.shrinkrapradio.com/2007/12/19/127-the-authoritarian-personality/comment-page-1/#comment-2423 Brandon Dennis Mon, 01 Jun 2009 01:17:46 +0000 http://www.shrinkrapradio.com/2007/12/19/127-the-authoritarian-personality/#comment-2423 Just listened to this podcast again, I believe this is an important interview. You gotta interview this guy again. I downloaded his book and also printed a copy for my boss to read, I hope he gets as much out of the book as I did. Just listened to this podcast again, I believe this is an important interview. You gotta interview this guy again. I downloaded his book and also printed a copy for my boss to read, I hope he gets as much out of the book as I did.

]]> By: Katie http://www.shrinkrapradio.com/2007/12/19/127-the-authoritarian-personality/comment-page-1/#comment-387 Katie Sat, 02 Feb 2008 05:59:18 +0000 http://www.shrinkrapradio.com/2007/12/19/127-the-authoritarian-personality/#comment-387 I just listened to the podcast this morning while I was driving to work. I come from the interesting perspective of being a well-educated, open-minded evangelical Christian. I absolutely do see some faults with some of the more outspoken members of "my" community of believers. I did not appreciate Dr. Altemeyer's own close-mindedness in referring to all "right-wingers," "fundamentalists," and "Evangelicals" as RWAs. I just listened to the podcast this morning while I was driving to work. I come from the interesting perspective of being a well-educated, open-minded evangelical Christian. I absolutely do see some faults with some of the more outspoken members of “my” community of believers. I did not appreciate Dr. Altemeyer’s own close-mindedness in referring to all “right-wingers,” “fundamentalists,” and “Evangelicals” as RWAs.

]]> By: valerie http://www.shrinkrapradio.com/2007/12/19/127-the-authoritarian-personality/comment-page-1/#comment-297 valerie Mon, 07 Jan 2008 16:42:41 +0000 http://www.shrinkrapradio.com/2007/12/19/127-the-authoritarian-personality/#comment-297 I read the first chapter of the book, and took the RWA test (97). I now believe that I am fairly conservative, but not aggressive, so I am not a true RWA. I read all of the information on the test and how it has been developed over time, but I found myself cringing at a lot of the questions. I fell that if they had been posed differently my score would be a lot lower. My responses don't accurately reflect my views. I am not going to take my score too seriously and I look forward to finishing the book. thanks for the input Dr. Dave! I read the first chapter of the book, and took the RWA test (97). I now believe that I am fairly conservative, but not aggressive, so I am not a true RWA.

I read all of the information on the test and how it has been developed over time, but I found myself cringing at a lot of the questions. I fell that if they had been posed differently my score would be a lot lower. My responses don’t accurately reflect my views.

I am not going to take my score too seriously and I look forward to finishing the book.

thanks for the input Dr. Dave!

]]> By: shrink http://www.shrinkrapradio.com/2007/12/19/127-the-authoritarian-personality/comment-page-1/#comment-296 shrink Mon, 07 Jan 2008 05:40:19 +0000 http://www.shrinkrapradio.com/2007/12/19/127-the-authoritarian-personality/#comment-296 Valerie, I think it takes a certain amount of courage and openness to see and admit your Authoritarian Follower tendencies. So I see that as very positive. I'm glad you plan to read the book. That may temper your self-evaluation or it may lead you to further self-questioning and growth if you become convinced that some change is needed. The world needs followers. We can't all lead all the time or there would be chaos. I think it is more an issue of not becoming a blind follower of authority. David Valerie,

I think it takes a certain amount of courage and openness to see and admit your Authoritarian Follower tendencies. So I see that as very positive. I’m glad you plan to read the book. That may temper your self-evaluation or it may lead you to further self-questioning and growth if you become convinced that some change is needed. The world needs followers. We can’t all lead all the time or there would be chaos. I think it is more an issue of not becoming a blind follower of authority.

David

]]> By: valerie http://www.shrinkrapradio.com/2007/12/19/127-the-authoritarian-personality/comment-page-1/#comment-295 valerie Mon, 07 Jan 2008 01:26:49 +0000 http://www.shrinkrapradio.com/2007/12/19/127-the-authoritarian-personality/#comment-295 After listening to the authoritarian personality podcast, I feel that I have some attributes of the authoritarian follower personality. I feel that these aspects of my personality have lessened as I have matured( I'm 27) and been educated (bachelors degree). Curiously, I also recognized that my husband seems to have complimentary attributes. Perhaps I recognized these deficencies in myself and was attracted to him because of this. I was wondering if there are any positives associated with being an authoritative follower. I am an avid marathon runner, and perhaps the ability to follow is good in certain venues. I really don't think that I am a close minded or bad person. I am not in an abusive relationship or a member of a cult, however I recognize that my personality tends towards the authoritative follower. Any thoughts on this would be helpful. also, I am going to read the book. It will probably give me some clarity. After listening to the authoritarian personality podcast, I feel that I have some attributes of the authoritarian follower personality. I feel that these aspects of my personality have lessened as I have matured( I’m 27) and been educated (bachelors degree). Curiously, I also recognized that my husband seems to have complimentary attributes. Perhaps I recognized these deficencies in myself and was attracted to him because of this.

I was wondering if there are any positives associated with being an authoritative follower. I am an avid marathon runner, and perhaps the ability to follow is good in certain venues.

I really don’t think that I am a close minded or bad person. I am not in an abusive relationship or a member of a cult, however I recognize that my personality tends towards the authoritative follower.

Any thoughts on this would be helpful. also, I am going to read the book. It will probably give me some clarity.

]]> By: Thea http://www.shrinkrapradio.com/2007/12/19/127-the-authoritarian-personality/comment-page-1/#comment-289 Thea Sat, 05 Jan 2008 02:31:49 +0000 http://www.shrinkrapradio.com/2007/12/19/127-the-authoritarian-personality/#comment-289 I am also reading the book, and I find it dreadfully scary! Especially the parts about how these RWAs are virtually impervious to influences that could change their minds, such as FACTS! It makes me think of something that Jung said when talking about therapy and confronting a person's defenses. He said something to the effect that the therapist should not seek to directly attack or tear down these defenses, because they are there for a reason. For a long time I have thought that underlying all forms of fanaticism is fear, and RWAs have this mentality rooted in fear. So, if one cannot go around directly confronting such people, how do we reach them? I ask this because a couple of people very dear to me have such mentalities - I almost sent them the test and the book! But I must say I do not because the derisive tone of the book would be counterproductive for such a purpose . I am also reading the book, and I find it dreadfully scary! Especially the parts about how these RWAs are virtually impervious to influences that could change their minds, such as FACTS! It makes me think of something that Jung said when talking about therapy and confronting a person’s defenses. He said something to the effect that the therapist should not seek to directly attack or tear down these defenses, because they are there for a reason. For a long time I have thought that underlying all forms of fanaticism is fear, and RWAs have this mentality rooted in fear. So, if one cannot go around directly confronting such people, how do we reach them? I ask this because a couple of people very dear to me have such mentalities – I almost sent them the test and the book! But I must say I do not because the derisive tone of the book would be counterproductive for such a purpose .

]]> By: The man called Anne http://www.shrinkrapradio.com/2007/12/19/127-the-authoritarian-personality/comment-page-1/#comment-272 The man called Anne Mon, 31 Dec 2007 06:14:52 +0000 http://www.shrinkrapradio.com/2007/12/19/127-the-authoritarian-personality/#comment-272 Just to let you know: I have also started reading the book. Kudos to dr. Bob. In spite of the fact that this interview went on to focus heavily on the US situation, I am sure i am not the only one from the international audience to see plenty application back home Anne Just to let you know: I have also started reading the book.
Kudos to dr. Bob.
In spite of the fact that this interview went on to focus heavily on the US situation, I am sure i am not the only one from the international audience to see plenty application back home

Anne

]]> By: Rafal http://www.shrinkrapradio.com/2007/12/19/127-the-authoritarian-personality/comment-page-1/#comment-269 Rafal Sat, 29 Dec 2007 10:14:35 +0000 http://www.shrinkrapradio.com/2007/12/19/127-the-authoritarian-personality/#comment-269 First of all thanks to Prof. Altemeyer for sharing his book. I am sure the subject is interesting for all the Americans, with the political situation where truth is being modeled to fit the authorities needs. It is also quite similar here in Poland :) For me though this book is also interesting as a major help of understanding some crutial dynamics in the workplace. I am very much looking forward to read it just after the new year has came to us. Very best 2008 to Dr.Dave, all Guests and all the listeners. best Rafal First of all thanks to Prof. Altemeyer for sharing his book. I am sure the subject is interesting for all the Americans, with the political situation where truth is being modeled to fit the authorities needs. It is also quite similar here in Poland :) For me though this book is also interesting as a major help of understanding some crutial dynamics in the workplace. I am very much looking forward to read it just after the new year has came to us. Very best 2008 to Dr.Dave, all Guests and all the listeners.
best
Rafal

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