Ebook: Strength and Weakness: The Authoritarian Personality Today

This book had its origins in conversations held at various meetings of the International Society of Political Psychology. The editors and con­ tributors are grateful for the forum that has given us the opportunity to discuss these topics over the last 10 years. We are most grateful to our contributors both for their chapters and for the intellectual stimulation they have given us. Jos Meloen in particular has been free with his time, advice, and enthusiasm. Although he declined to contribute a chapter, Bob Altemeyer has been a source of encouragement and a ready adviser on any question we have asked. The staff of Springer-Verlag has been most patient in adapting to our schedule. We are indebted to the secretarial staff at the University of Maine, and especially to Kathy McAuliffe, who has put in many extra hours above and beyond the call of duty. Finally, we dedicate this book to our departed friend and colleague, Silvan Tomkins, with whom we conversed at length about these and other topics, and from whom we received inspiration and diversion. William F. Stone Gerda Lederer Richard Christie v Contents Preface. . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . v Contributors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Part I Overview 1 Introduction: Strength and Weakness ........................ 3 WILLIAM F. STONE, GERDA LEDERER, and RICHARD CHRISTIE 2 The Authoritarian Character from Berlin to Berkeley and Beyond: The Odyssey of a Problem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . 22 . . . . . .

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The purpose of Strength and Weakness is to assess the current status of authoritarianism and authoritarian personality research. Throughout decades of formidable social and political transformation, the study of authoritarianism and the measurement issues associated with those studies have witnessed a prodigious refining process of social-science research methods. This book attests to the fascinating and fertile interaction both in the USA and in Europe between theoreticians and experimentalists in personality research. It shows that the validity of the methods and language of research is continuously reasserted; similarly, the concepts which are the objects of study, such as the concept of authoritarianism, are reinforced. In the field of authoritarianism research, theory building and empirical verification are engaged in a very dynamic relationship. This book is essential reading for social and personality psychologists, sociologists, philosophers, and historians.