Description

The Unlabeled Fascist Attitudes (UFA-26) scale is a psychological measurement tool developed to assess the prevalence and intensity of fascist attitudes among individuals without explicitly labeling them as such. The UFA-26 scale includes 26 items that reflect various dimensions of fascistic tendencies, such as authoritarianism, nationalism, xenophobia, and militarism. These items are phrased neutrally or positively to avoid social desirability bias and allow for more accurate self-reporting.

Analysis

The UFA-26 scale is typically analyzed using a combination of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to identify the underlying factors that contribute to fascist attitudes. Researchers often employ statistical techniques such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA) or Factor Analysis to reduce the dimensionality of the data and to determine the number of factors that best represent the construct of fascism as measured by the scale.

Once the factor structure is established, the scale’s reliability is assessed using measures such as Cronbach’s alpha, which indicates internal consistency. High Cronbach’s alpha values (typically above 0.70) suggest that the items on the UFA-26 scale reliably measure the same underlying construct.

Calibration

Calibration of the UFA-26 scale involves validating the tool across different populations and contexts to ensure its generalizability. This process may include testing the scale with diverse demographic groups to confirm that it accurately captures fascist attitudes regardless of cultural or social background. Additionally, the calibration process may involve adjusting the scale items based on feedback or further psychometric testing to improve its accuracy and reliability.

Calibration also requires comparison with other established scales that measure similar constructs, such as the Right-Wing Authoritarianism (RWA) scale or the Social Dominance Orientation (SDO) scale. This process helps in establishing convergent validity, ensuring that the UFA-26 is measuring the intended attitudes.

Bibliography

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Altemeyer, B. (1981). Right-Wing Authoritarianism. Winnipeg: University of Manitoba Press.
Duckitt, J. (2001). A dual-process cognitive-motivational theory of ideology and prejudice. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 33, 41-113.
Sidanius, J., & Pratto, F. (1999). Social Dominance: An Intergroup Theory of Social Hierarchy and Oppression. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Stenner, K. (2005). The Authoritarian Dynamic. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Feldman, S. (2003). Enforcing Social Conformity: A Theory of Authoritarianism. Political Psychology, 24(1), 41-74.
Mondon, A., & Winter, A. (2020). Reactionary Democracy: How Racism and the Populist Far Right Became Mainstream. Verso Books.