In the late 40's and early 50's, after World War II was finally over, many people wanted to know how that horrific conflict could have ever happened and could it be prevented from happening again? While the Japanese were seen as being different, the Germans were considered family. So how could they willingly follow a man like Hitler and support a regime that was responsible for so many atrocities.
Then, much to everyone's surprise, researchers conducting carefully designed and controlled studies found that there were just as many people here in the Land of the Free who would willing engage in atrocities as there were in any other part of the world. One of the now classic experiments went something like this: A subject was told that he would be taking part in research involving motivation and learning. His job was to administer electric shocks (the motivation) to another person who was supposed to have memorized (the learning) a long list of words. Every time a mistake was made a shock was delivered. What's more, as the mistakes increased so did the strength of the shocks. Of course, there were no painful jolts. It was all a setup to see just how many people would actually subject others to painful, potentially fatal shocks if ordered to do so by an authority figure. The ones who did were classified as Authoritarian Personalities.
There are a number of characteristics peculiar to this personality type but perhaps the most obvious is their need to be part of a social hierarchy. They believe that there are people above them who must be given unquestioning loyalty and that there are people below them who are of no consequence. They give obedience to those higher up and expect it from those lower down. Like an enlisted soldier lacking any sense of morality, they would massacre men, women and children if ordered to do so by a superior officer. If you keep this one characteristic in mind - that all others are perceived as being either above or below them - then their behavior in all areas of life makes perfect sense.
These are the people (about a third of the population, by the way) who demand laws to control individual lifestyles. Because they lack internal restraints themselves, they want the government to keep everyone in line. Just consider that former Drug Czar (Bennett) and that popular talk radio host (Limbaugh) who were both exposed as addicts; the former to gambling, the latter to drugs and both of them, considering their obesity, to food as well. These are the individuals who cry out for ever more draconian laws designed to intrude into private lives.
Interestingly enough, sensing their own lack of morals, they are quick to point to the supposed failings of other individuals and they enjoy nothing more than trying to set standards for everyone else. It's wise to be suspicious of anyone who complains about rampant immorality and contends that the whole nation is going to Hell. Quite often their outrage centers on sex and just as often they themselves exhibit correspondingly poor adjustment in this area; witness just the most recent flock of preachers exposed as sexual deviates. They are notably insecure in their daily lives and, as a result, can become aggressive - even violent - when defending/promoting their beliefs.
Divided into Followers and Social Dominators, they can be either male or female. Most often, though, Authoritarian Personalities are males. Being amoral, they will say or do anything and certainly won't hesitate to distort facts in their quest for power. They pick on the weak, accept torture as an expedient, are not self-critical and believe they have the answer to every question. This makes any attempt at negotiation pointless. Few things frighten them as much as change and any deviation from what they feel is the norm is considered evil. Organized religion is not to be doubted and faith trumps reason every time.
Look At It This Way
There is no doubt that the concept of an Authoritarian Personality very accurately describes a very real personality type. But what's truly amazing is that although social scientists have been aware of this set of character traits for half a century, the general public remains almost totally unaware of the mental makeup that governs the thoughts and behaviors of a third of their friends and neighbors.
