The Authoritarian Scale test

[Aetheras]

EDIT: all credit for designing the survey go to Jean Althemeyaer, writer of the great book ''The Authoritarians'' from which this survey is from, readable online for free http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~altemey/

heres a poll thingy that i think you will all find interesting, i know i sure will, especially when i see YOUR results, this survey basically measures how authoritarian you are, the ''right wing authoritarian'' scale (or RWA scale)
now, go get yourself a sheet of paper and a pen, got it? now right down numbers 1 to 20
you answer the statements by how much you agree or disagree, putting down a -4 if you really really disagree, or a +4 if your really really agree (and everything in between) 0 means your neutral
i realize i skipped 1 and 2

___ 3. Our country desperately needs a mighty leader who will do what has to be done to destroy the radical new ways and sinfulness that are ruining us.

___ 4. Gays and lesbians are just as healthy and moral as anybody else.

___ 5. It is always better to trust the judgment of the proper authorities in government and religion than to listen to the noisy rabble-rousers in our society who are trying to create doubt in people’s minds

___ 6. Atheists and others who have rebelled against the established religions are no doubt every bit as good and virtuous as those who attend church regularly.

___ 7. The only way our country can get through the crisis ahead is to get back to our traditional values, put some tough leaders in power, and silence the troublemakers spreading bad ideas.

___ 8. There is absolutely nothing wrong with nudist camps.

___ 9. Our country needs free thinkers who have the courage to defy traditional ways, even if this upsets many people.

___ 10. Our country will be destroyed someday if we do not smash the perversions eating away at our moral fiber and traditional beliefs.

___ 11. Everyone should have their own lifestyle, religious beliefs, and sexual preferences, even if it makes them different from everyone else.
___ 12. The “old-fashioned ways” and the “old-fashioned values” still show the best way to live.

___ 13. You have to admire those who challenged the law and the majority’s view by protesting for women’s abortion rights, for animal rights, or to abolish school prayer.

___ 14. What our country really needs is a strong, determined leader who will crush evil, and take us back to our true path.

___ 15. Some of the best people in our country are those who are challenging our government, criticizing religion, and ignoring the “normal way things are supposed to be done.”

___ 16. God’s laws about abortion, pornography and marriage must be strictly followed before it is too late, and those who break them must be strongly punished.

___ 17. There are many radical, immoral people in our country today, who are trying to ruin it for their own godless purposes, whom the authorities should put out of action.

___ 18. A “woman’s place” should be wherever she wants to be. The days when women are submissive to their husbands and social conventions belong strictly in the past.

___ 19. Our country will be great if we honor the ways of our forefathers, do what the authorities tell us to do, and get rid of the “rotten apples” who are ruining everything.

___ 20. There is no “ONE right way” to live life; everybody has to create their own way.

___ 21. Homosexuals and feminists should be praised for being brave enough to defy “traditional family values.''

___ 22. This country would work a lot better if certain groups of troublemakers would just shut up and accept their group’s traditional place in society.
score 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, 19 and 22 as the following
If you wrote down a “-4” that’s scored as a 1.
If you wrote down a “-3" that’s scored as a 2.
If you wrote down a “-2" that’s scored as a 3.
If you wrote down a “-1" that’s scored as a 4.
If you wrote down a “0" or left the item unanswered, that’s scored as a 5.
If you wrote down a “+1" that’s scored as a 6.
If you wrote down a “+2" that’s scored as a 7.
If you wrote down a “+3" that’s scored as an 8.
If you wrote down a “+4" that’s scored as a 9.

Now we’ll do the rest of your answers, starting with No. 4.
If you wrote down a “-4" that’s scored as a 9.
If you wrote down a “-3" that’s scored as an 8.
If you wrote down a “-2" that’s scored as a 7.
If you wrote down a “-1" that’s scored as a 6.
If you wrote down a “0" or left the item unanswered, that’s scored as a 5.
If you wrote down a “+1" that’s scored as a 4.
If you wrote down a “+2" that’s scored as a 3.
If you wrote down a “+3" that’s scored as a 2.
If you wrote down a “+4" that’s scored as a 1.

now add up your scores

75 is average, above 120 means your fairly authoritarian, which means your highly dogmatic, intolerant, Conservative, traditional and subservient and submissive to authority, you will find that people who score above 150 are the types who still think bush did a good job in iraq, or the ones who thought Hitler might have had the right idea, if you get below 40 your lever anti authoritarian, very liberal, the sort who distrust all autority, dislike governments etc
i got 25, figures im an anarchist

im interested to see the corralations online, there is much proof that right wingers, conservitives and crusading capitalists tend to score higher on this, i know you might hate to hear that but yes, YOUR closer to hitler then ME, lol, dont worry its harmless fun i wont declare war on you if you score a lil..high..however i might try condemn you

[Eofaerwic]

Hmm, not certain about that scale. More than authoritarianism specifically it seems to be measuring a very specific set of conservative/moral values, as well as views of authority. The two views may coincide but I wouldn't say are necessary synonymous. For example, the USSR was clearly very authorititarian but also very anti-religious, so a strong supporter of the authoritarian regime would nonetheless probably answer in an 'anti-authoritarian' way on the religion questions.

This said, I suspect a factor analysis would bring out a two factor scale with a Conservative/Judeo-Chrisitian Values factor and a Submission to Authority factor. There are other scales that assess each of those independently however and probably in a more involved fashion.

[Chumblywumbly]

More than authoritarianism specifically it seems to be measuring a very specific set of conservative/moral values, as well as views of authority.

Make that a very specific set of US American conservative/moral values.

EDIT: Moreover, whatever way you answer, you come off as a statist ("our country..."), which, arguably, should be a factor in determining one's authoritarian-ness.

[Dolbri]

now right down numbers 1 to 20

*write

i realize i skipped 1 and 2

Why did you skip them?

Now we’ll do the rest of your answers, starting with No. 4.

What happened to number 3?

My total score was 20. I actually managed to answer "-3" on one statement. All the others were -4, +4 or over 9000. Most statements were quite extremist.

Also, what Eofaerwic and Chumbly said.

EDIT: I am not an American, I tried to answer with Europe in mind, but it's not easy, things are different here.

[UNIverseVERSE]

Why did you skip them?

He's cribbed it from a book. I was also interested why, so I went and read the book. Here they are:

1. The established authorities generally turn out to be right about things, while the radicals and protestors are usually just "loud mouths" showing off their ignorance.
2. Women should have to promise to obey their husbands when they get married.

However, they're used to get you used to the scoring system, and don't count towards the final result.

What happened to number 3?

My total score was 20. I actually managed to answer "-3" on one statement. All the others were -4, +4 or over 9000. Most statements were quite extremist.

Also, what Eofaerwic and Chumbly said.

Number 3 is scored by the first method: -4 is 1 point, 4 is 9 points.

If you put down a -3, your lowest possible score becomes 21 -- check your maths again.

I managed to score 20, but by the end of the test is was painfully obvious how it was working.

[Dolbri]

Number 3 is scored by the first method: -4 is 1 point, 4 is 9 points.

If you put down a -3, your lowest possible score becomes 21 -- check your maths again.

I managed to score 20, but by the end of the test is was painfully obvious how it was working.

Yes, so I figured. I didn't count my one point from question 3 because i didn't know how to score it. Though obviously, I could have made an educated guess

[Kadinichung]

26, The test is a bit American, things are different here, not much religion etc.

[Lacadaemon]

This isn't a test of authoritarianism, it's just a test of 'how much do you think like Alf Garnett?".

[Chumblywumbly]

This isn't a test of authoritarianism, it's just a test of 'how much do you think like Alf Garnett?".

At least it's not Love Thy Neighbour...

[SaintB]

3. Our country desperately needs a mighty leader who will do what has to be done to destroy the radical new ways and sinfulness that are ruining us. -4 We need a strong leader but one that will make change where its needed and promote individual freedom.

4. Gays and lesbians are just as healthy and moral as anybody else. 4

5. It is always better to trust the judgment of the proper authorities in government and religion than to listen to the noisy rabble-rousers in our society who are trying to create doubt in people’s minds -2 There are some matters where it is important to listen to authority, however once it begins to infringe upon the individuals rights without just cause then it is no longer time to listen.

6. Atheists and others who have rebelled against the established religions are no doubt every bit as good and virtuous as those who attend church regularly.4

7. The only way our country can get through the crisis ahead is to get back to our traditional values, put some tough leaders in power, and silence the troublemakers spreading bad ideas. -4 Its not up to our leaders to silence them, its up to the regular person to ignore them

8. There is absolutely nothing wrong with nudist camps. 4

9. Our country needs free thinkers who have the courage to defy traditional ways, even if this upsets many people. 8 Allowing room for those whose idea of free thinking and action being such things as murder and theft.

10. Our country will be destroyed someday if we do not smash the perversions eating away at our moral fiber and traditional beliefs.0 Morality is important but many so called traditional beliefs are actually offensive to a moral way of life.

11. Everyone should have their own lifestyle, religious beliefs, and sexual preferences, even if it makes them different from everyone else.2 Once again, no room for the ideals of people that would harm others

12. The “old-fashioned ways” and the “old-fashioned values” still show the best way to live.-2 Many old fashioned values and ways are utter trash

13. You have to admire those who challenged the law and the majority’s view by protesting for women’s abortion rights, for animal rights, or to abolish school prayer. 4

14. What our country really needs is a strong, determined leader who will crush evil, and take us back to our true path. -4 Nonsense religious rhetoric.

15. Some of the best people in our country are those who are challenging our government, criticizing religion, and ignoring the “normal way things are supposed to be done.”4

16. God’s laws about abortion, pornography and marriage must be strictly followed before it is too late, and those who break them must be strongly punished. -4 Those are man's laws, not Gods.

17. There are many radical, immoral people in our country today, who are trying to ruin it for their own godless purposes, whom the authorities should put out of action.-1 The authorities have a job to protect others from the people that would harm them, not to prevent people from doing as they will. God has nothing to do with it.

18. A “woman’s place” should be wherever she wants to be. The days when women are submissive to their husbands and social conventions belong strictly in the past. 4

19. Our country will be great if we honor the ways of our forefathers, do what the authorities tell us to do, and get rid of the “rotten apples” who are ruining everything. 2 I'm turning this question around. The forefathers of the USA were liberal minded reactionaries who wanted to overturn the standard way of doing things.

20. There is no “ONE right way” to live life; everybody has to create their own way. 3 No harm... etc.

21. Homosexuals and feminists should be praised for being brave enough to defy “traditional family values.'' 0 They are not defying traditional family values, they are rewriting them the way they should have been a long time ago!

22. This country would work a lot better if certain groups of troublemakers would just shut up and accept their group’s traditional place in society. 0 Political parties should be GONE.

If I scored it right I got a 45, I'm not sure I did though.

[The Blaatschapen]

I got somewhere in the low 20s....

[Ifreann]

When someone turns this into a webpage where I can just press buttons instead of needing to calculate my score myself I'll do it.

[Chumblywumbly]

3. Our country desperately needs a mighty leader who will do what has to be done to destroy the radical new ways and sinfulness that are ruining us. -4 We need a strong leader but one that will make change where its needed and promote individual freedom.

I think the above quoted question/answer show the flaws of this test.

[Daistallia 2104]

21

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

21.

[Galloism]

When someone turns this into a webpage where I can just press buttons instead of needing to calculate my score myself I'll do it.

Yeah, this here.

[Alathaea]

When someone turns this into a webpage where I can just press buttons instead of needing to calculate my score myself I'll do it.

Ditto. I imagine my score would be sehr low, though, looking at the questions.

[Yootopia]

That's a pretty loaded test.

[Dyakovo]

I scored a 22, so not very authoritarian...

[SaintB]

I'm almost certain I scored it wrong now.

[Delator]

Only four of my responses were anything other than a 4 or a -4. Those managed to inch my score up to a 34, mainly because those questions were too ambiguous for me to fully agree or disagree with them, which, since I'm bored, I'll detail why.

#11 Everyone should have their own lifestyle, religious beliefs, and sexual preferences, even if it makes them different from everyone else.

Everyone?

That's several billion religions we're going to have to invent, to say nothing of the poor sap who has to start fucking the poison ivy. Scored it a zero.

#13 You have to admire those who challenged the law and the majority’s view by protesting for women’s abortion rights, for animal rights, or to abolish school prayer.

Neo-Nazis challenge the law and the majority view as well, but I don't admire them. Scored it a +2.

#14 What our country really needs is a strong, determined leader who will crush evil, and take us back to our true path.

A strong leader? Sure. "Crushing evil" and "true path" are silly notions that conflict with reality. Scored it a -2.

#21 Homosexuals and feminists should be praised for being brave enough to defy “traditional family values.''

I don't think defying traditional family values is something that requires enough "bravery" to merit "praise", at least not in this country. Scored it a +1.

*waits eagerly for someone to pick a point and argue it*

[Eofaerwic]

<snip>
*waits eagerly for someone to pick a point and argue it*

Most of your points really just point out how badly, really really badly, worded those questions are. I think for the final question I'd argue it's more a question of an individuals particular family than societies values which indicate 'bravery'. For example, I come from a very liberal family, so for me coming out was hardly 'brave' (though it did result in my mum assuring me that 'I could still adopt so she could get grandkids'). However, I'd say if I'd grown up in a very conservative/religious family which expected me to marry and have 2.4 kids it would have been more difficult.

[The P]

Had this been a test on authoritarianism in general instead of conservative authoritarianism, I might have gotten a higher score (my views tend to be a bit paternalistic). For this test, the score was 67.

[Muravyets]

1) There is no authoritarianism that is not "conservative" or "rightwing" authoritarianism. That might seem non-intuitive, but apparently, according to the accumulated 50+ years of research Altemeyer has been working with/from, totalitarianism and authoritarianism are not the same thing. Totalitarianism can be applied almost anywhere on the philosophical spectrum. Authoritarianism is a personality type that trends overwhelmingly towards what are generally characterized as right-wing positions.

2) There will never be an online version of this quiz because, according to Dr. Altemeyer, the subject of his studies is far too complex, and his statistical methodology too technical, for general lay public consumption. He doesn't want people running around "testing" themselves for authoritarian tendencies because they'll just get completely misled and upset over things they needn't get upset about. The questions in his survey are meant to generate specific results for statistical studies. They are not psychological questions.

3) The survey questions that have been published are only a portion of the study survey Altemeyer uses in his research. So no one will ever get an accurate picture of themselves using those questions, even if they had been meant to generate accurate pictures of individuals, which they are not.

I got all of the above, second hand, from Dr. Altemeyer himself, as quoted by John Dean in Conservatives Without Conscience, in which Dean first published those questions, with Altemeyer's hesitant consent and only if he included all that warning and disclaimer stuff.

[Muravyets]

On the assumption that people who like to take online personality quizzes also belong to the tl;dr crowd:

You're using the test wrong. It's not really a personality quiz. The questions are written as they are for another purpose. You'll learn nothing about yourself from those questions.