Impact of Dogmatism on Reactions to Unvalidated Authority and Anti-Authority

Abstract

Studies establishing a positive relationship between dogmatism and reverence for authority have generally dealt with sources of authority which were both untested and unquestionable. This research demonstrated that designated authorities who failed to behave in an authoritative manner were evaluated less favorably by 68 high than by 68 low dogmatics. In addition, “anti-authorities” who behaved in a socially acceptable manner were evaluated more favorably by high than by low dogmatics. This pattern of results is predictable if dogmatism is viewed as a general defense mechanism, with reliance-on-authority functioning to reduce anxiety.