Authoritarian personality: concept, traits, features of communication

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

Who is an authoritarian person? Do you think this is a headstrong despot who is guided only by his own opinion and never thinks about others? Don't confuse authoritarians with tyrants. The first personality is not distinguished by despotism, it is characterized by a businesslike approach to any undertaking and good planning of each of its actions.

Definition

The theory of authoritarian personality, developed by E. Fromm, suggests that an authoritarian person is an adherent of a conservative view of the world and a hater of the existing system of government. Leadership weighs on a person, and he considers it his duty to change the ruling elite. This does not mean that the person will run for president and change the way of the whole country. This means that a person will make small revolutions in his social circle. For example, a person will be able to lead a plant where she worked for many years as a manager. The authoritarian person experiences disappointment in life and thinks that suchthe state is familiar to everyone around. That is why she seeks power to fill the void with work. The personality believes that the feeling of loneliness arises from the presence of a large amount of free time, which most people do not know how to manage.

Stereotypes

Everyone talks about authoritarians. Not surprisingly, there are many stereotypes about them. Below are the most famous:

• A person who strives for power is unfamiliar with any moral values. Such a person is low in itself, and if she wants to lead, then she seeks to elevate her ego and become a despot.
• Such people are credited with limited minds. But if you look at historical examples, it becomes clear that people with an authoritarian temperament are not only smart, but also perspicacious. And it is not their own frivolity that destroys them, but unsatisfied ambitions.
• Such a person always demands too much from others. This is partly true. But it should be borne in mind that, first of all, a person requires good performance from himself. A person works tirelessly and it is quite logical that the same person will demand from others.
• Discipline. An authoritative person loves when everything goes according to his plan and no circumstances interfere with the achievement of goals. Discipline helps you achieve your goals faster, as people will focus on the result, and not scatter energy on insignificant actions.

What makes a personauthoritarian?

The formation of any person occurs in childhood. It is quite logical that an authoritarian personality is the product of a wrong upbringing. What can cause a change in consciousness and the acquisition of false values in a child?

Alarm. A person who will be afraid of everything in the world will strive always and everywhere to take control of the situation. Most often, such feelings in a child are engendered by mothers who take care of their child too much. Mom does not allow the child to do anything without asking and always intimidates the baby. Anxiety is imprinted on the subconscious of the child and therefore he unconsciously seeks to take control of any situation.

Lack of independence. This character trait is also the result of overprotection. If parents do not force the child to work from childhood and make all decisions themselves, then the baby will grow up too arrogant and self-satisfied. A person will disguise his inability to make decisions as confidence. The person will begin to exploit others to achieve their own interests.

The habit of submission. If in childhood the father forced the baby to obey any of his demands, then growing up, the child can hold a grudge and pour it out at an older age on others. A person will make others dance to his tune.

Character Traits

To make it easier to identify such a person among your acquaintances, you should understand who he is, an authoritarian person. What character traits does a person have, what are her preferences and value system:

• Conservatism. A person does not like something new, and he will make his small revolutions on the basis of long-proven methods. Innovation scares a person, as new technologies seem unreliable and untested. Confidence in technique and in methods of action is very important for such a person.
• Slavery. Another feature of authoritarianism is the desire of the leader to enslave the consciousness of his subordinates. For his “subjects”, an authoritarian person wants to be almost a god, well, at least an idol.
• The cult of power. Man believes that everything in the world can be achieved through coercion. But this does not mean that he will use his fists to achieve his goals. The man will stop at nothing to make his wishes come true.
• Cynicism. A person who is an authoritarian person will be contemptuous of everyone around him. And since contempt on the face is not the best mask, the person will disguise their true emotions under cynicism and sarcasm.

Family

An authoritarian person is a person who has received the wrong upbringing. Parents overlooked the child and therefore he began to develop various phobias and strange preferences that are contrary to normal social principles. What families contribute to the development of an authoritarian personality? A family with one parent, a family in which the father drinks and a family that is overprotective of the child. It is the extremes that form the unhe althy child. A person should grow up in an atmosphere of love and tenderness from childhood. If he does not receive attention from his parents, then he will growembittered and will hate everyone. If the mother shook too much over the child, she will be able to raise a selfish creature who will manipulate others without a twinge of conscience. Therefore, it is the responsibility of parents to properly develop their child. There is no need to blame your mistakes on bad teachers or the bad influence of the street. A good family will never raise an antisocial type.

Difficult situation

What does an authoritarian person mean? This is a person who will put the desire for power as his main goal. The person will crave to dominate everywhere: in the family, at work, among friends. What influences a person's desire to lead others? The complex political or economic situation in which the consciousness of a child is formed leaves an imprint on the life of an adult. If a kid understood from childhood that leaders are not coping with their tasks, then he began to set himself up for the fact that his task is to normalize the situation in the country and achieve a better life for everyone. Despite all his desire to lead, a person always has good intentions. He does not want power for the sake of power. He wants to benefit the world and help all who suffer.

Education

The authoritarian type of person protests against some rules and standards. He does not mind learning, but he is only interested in those knowledge and skills that can be useful in the future. Most often, such individuals choose technical, rather than humanitarian professions. An authoritarian person tries to improve his vision of the world, but he is limited by the ability tolook at only one point of view. He cannot enter into the position of other people. Therefore, the exact sciences are given to a person better. Such a person receives knowledge with pleasure and never refuses to take any courses. A person continues his education even after graduation. After all, to be a good and competent specialist in any field, you need to constantly improve yourself.

Profession

Profession, like education, leaves its mark on a person. A person who works in law enforcement agencies is more inclined towards authoritarianism. But a person who is engaged in philosophical activity, art or other creative activity is unlikely to develop plans to take over the world. Those who, thanks to their profession, have power over others, can use their powers for completely non-noble purposes. For example, an officer has much more chances and opportunities to show his authoritarian nature compared to an ordinary soldier. And a person who has served under a contract all his life in submission will grovel not only at work, but also in the family. The habit of obedience, like the habit of command, extends throughout a person's life.

Communication

The authoritarian communication style stands out from the rest:

• The person will talk to you as if you owe him something. He will deliberately belittle your dignity and morally put pressure on you in order to elevate his status. If you do not succumb to suchmanipulation, then the person will move to active aggression.
• Such a person will always give orders. A person will not ask the opinion of the interlocutor. He himself will decide what the opponent needs and will be sure that he is right even when the interlocutor tries to say the opposite.
• A person will stick to his opinion, even if he realizes that it is fundamentally wrong. He is unlikely to be able to admit that he was wrong and accept his defeat.

Good or bad

Authoritarian behavior can only be condemned when the person has bad intentions. He will strive towards his main goal, which will be to improve this world. The followers of a smart authoritarian person will be freedom-loving and adequate people. They will not blindly obey their idol. Their obedience will be justified. The leader will help his followers become better, and also show the way to go in order not to step on the pitfalls.

But the situation changes when an authoritarian person with psychological problems comes to power. In this case, the dictator will do what he wants. Such a person will not give an account to someone of his actions. But the individual will demand blind and instant submission from his subordinates.

A person's reputation

How do others perceive the authoritarian personality type? People are afraid of tyrants. Subservience and respect are more like fear. A similar situation of an authoritarian personalityquite satisfied. She has no close friends, and therefore a person enjoys the respect that comes from his retinue. In wide circles, a person is always known. She has a reputation as a good specialist and a good leader. Nothing bad can be said about a person. But sometimes it is simply impossible to work with him. Personality tries to remake all subordinates to his standards, which from the outside may seem wild.

Test

Are you into socionics? The Personality Type Test is for you. By answering the questions, you can understand how your worldview is similar or at odds with authoritarian people. You have to answer yes or no. Below is a selection of questions from the F-scale test:

• Should kids be taught respect and obedience before anything else?
• Can a person without good manners exist normally in a decent society?
• A person will only succeed when he works hard?
• Industrialists, managers and salespeople more important than artists and writers?
• Our universe is unknowable, and man will never be able to comprehend all its secrets.
• A man - a toy in the hands of supernatural power?
• A liberal person will become conservative with age?
• Laws are not as important to the state as a smart leader who will show people the way to happiness?

Do you believe in socionics? A personality type test should show you how much authoritarianism is developed in your soul. If most of the questions youanswered in the affirmative, it means that you are a born dictator at heart.