Expertise and the Ideological Consequences of the Authoritarian Predisposition

Posted: 13 Aug 2009 Last revised: 21 Aug 2009

See all articles by Christopher M Federico

Christopher M Federico

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities - Department of Psychology; University of Minnesota - Twin Cities - Department of Political Science

Emily L Fisher

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Grace M. Deason

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse

Date Written: 2009

Abstract

Recent research on the psychological bases of political ideology suggests that a number of “pre-political” variables influence individuals‟ ideological positions. This paper examines how the political implications of one such variable – the authoritarian predisposition – may be conditioned by citizens‟ political expertise. An examination of the 2000 and 2004 American National Election Studies revealed that (1) the relation between the authoritarian predisposition and conservatism was stronger among experts; (2) relations between the authoritarian predisposition and the two component facets of conservatism – opposition to equality and support for traditionalism – were also stronger among experts; and (3) the interactive effect of expertise and the authoritarian predisposition on conservatism was mediated by orientations toward equality and traditionalism. These findings suggest that the linkage between psychological variables and ideology may be contingent on one‟s understanding of abstract political ideas and indicate the need for a more nuanced understanding of what expertise contributes to democratic citizenship.

Keywords: authoritarianism, ideology, political expertise

Suggested Citation

Federico, Christopher M and Fisher, Emily L and Deason, Grace M., Expertise and the Ideological Consequences of the Authoritarian Predisposition (2009). APSA 2009 Toronto Meeting Paper, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1451327

Christopher M Federico (Contact Author)

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities - Department of Psychology ( email )

Minneapolis, MN 55455
United States

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities - Department of Political Science ( email )

Minneapolis, MN 55455-0410
United States

Emily L Fisher

affiliation not provided to SSRN

No Address Available

Grace M. Deason

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse ( email )

1725 State Street
La Crosse, WI 54601
United States

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