Description of the Questionnaire

The Right-Wing Authoritarianism (RWA) Scale, developed by Bob Altemeyer, is a psychometric tool designed to measure three core dimensions of the authoritarian personality: submission to authority, aggression toward socially deviant individuals, and adherence to traditional moral and social values. The questionnaire consists of twenty-two statements, which participants are asked to evaluate using a seven-point Likert scale (1 = Strongly disagree to 7 = Strongly agree). The instrument has been widely used in sociological and political studies and has demonstrated high reliability and validity.

Data Analysis and Usage

Data processing is conducted by calculating either the total score or the average of all item responses. Higher scores indicate a stronger authoritarian predisposition. Statistical software such as SPSS or R may be used for analyzing the results, examining internal consistency through Cronbach’s alpha, conducting factor analysis to confirm the questionnaire’s structure, and exploring correlations with other psychosocial variables.

Data Utilization

The data collected from this questionnaire can be used in research contexts that investigate political attitudes, social prejudice, xenophobia, and support for authoritarian leadership. It is essential that data collection and analysis are conducted in accordance with ethical research principles and in compliance with data protection regulations (such as the GDPR).

Objective

The aim of this questionnaire is to provide a valid and reliable assessment of individuals’ authoritarian tendencies within social or political contexts. This measurement enables an in-depth understanding of the relationship between authoritarianism and social attitudes, contributing to the prevention and management of discrimination and social exclusion.

Scoring

Scoring is based on summing the responses to the 22 items. Some items may be reverse-coded and require score inversion before analysis. The total authoritarianism score can range from 22 to 154. Higher scores correspond to stronger authoritarian tendencies. Interpretation can be conducted on an individual basis or comparatively, depending on the objectives of the research.

References

Altemeyer, B. (1996). The Authoritarian Specter. Harvard University Press.
Altemeyer, B. (1981). Right-Wing Authoritarianism. University of Manitoba Press.
Duckitt, J., & Sibley, C. G. (2007). Right-wing authoritarianism, social dominance orientation and the dimensions of generalized prejudice. European Journal of Personality, 21(2), 113–130.
Adorno, T. W., Frenkel-Brunswik, E., Levinson, D. J., & Sanford, R. N. (1950). The Authoritarian Personality. Harper.