Some unobtrusive measures of authoritarianism.

Abstract

Previous research (2 , 3 ) suggested some unobtrusive correlates with authoritarianism as measured by the California F scale ( 1 ) . In these studies high and low scores on the E and F scales were related to social influence in the autokinetic setting. Although no data were recorded, informal observation suggested that low authoritarian Ss seemed to have longer hair, showed a distinctive preference for liberal magazines, and were less obedient as Ss. The purpose of this investigation was to determine empirically if length of hair, choice of reading material, and obedience to instructions were indeed unobtrusive correlates with authoritarianism. Six weeks prior to the experiment, 300 students were administered Form 45-40 of the California F scale. On the basis of scores obtained on this scale 50 high and 50 low male authoritarian Ss were selected. Behavioral measures relating to authoritarianism were obtained in a waiting period before a bogus experiment on visual perception (i.e., autokinetic effect). Upon arrival for the perception experiment, Ss were ushered into a waiting room adjacent to an autokinetic laboratory and given instructions to read about the perception After S read the instructions E said, You can read or do anything you want until it is your turn to be in the experiment. E then looked at notes or a book so that S would not talk ro him. Length of hair was judged to be long if it was growing over Ss' ears and short if it was not. Choice of reading material was determined by having T i m e (an establishment news magazine) and Lampoon (an unorthodox, anti-establishment humor magazine) placed on a table directly in front of Ss and recording the magazine first selected. Prior to the experiment Ss were given a mimeographed map that described the location of the laboratory and the time and date for which S was scheduled. Also typed on the map in capital letters was the statement, DO NOT LOSE THIS SLIP OF PAPER. Obedience to instructions was measured by the number of maps returned by high and low F Ss. So as to not arouse suspicion, E made no mention of the map unless S voluntarily asked if E would like the map returned. If S asked this question E said, Yes, thank you, and accepted it. Following the waiting room period (usually less than 5 min.) Ss participated for another 20 min. in an autokinetic Of 50 low-F Ss 31 and of 50 high-F Ss 10 had hair growing over their ears ( x 2 = 16.87, df = 1, p < .005 ) . In choosing T i m e vs Lampoon, 5 low-F and 12 high-F Ss did not read anything (X2 = 3.47, d f = 1, P < . l o ) . Of Ss selecting a magazine, 31 out of 45 low-F Ss and 23 out of 38 high-F Ss selected Lampoon over T i m e ( x Z = .63, df = 1, f i < .50). The obedience measure was whether S asked E if he wanted his map returned. Of 50 low-F Ss 15 and of 50 high-F Ss 28 asked this question ( x 2 = 6.63, df = 1, P < .?I) . Results suggest that length of hair and obedience as measured here reflected unobtrusive correlates of authoritarianism. Preferences for Lampoon over T i m e were unrelated to authoritarianism.