Summary Of The Authoritarian Spector

The Authoritarian Spector is a compelling book by the social psychologist Bob Altemeyer, that discusses the different aspects of the authoritarian personality, all based on both his research and the research of others. Altemeyer makes the claim that different behaviors, “trusting Nixon during Watergate, hating homosexuals, opposing abortion” (Altemeyer 45) are all linked through authoritarianism, all the while reminding the reader that there are exceptions to these behaviors. The authoritarian personality falls along a spectrum rather than a cut and paste personality. The author of this book does not delve deeply into why these behaviors are linked to the authoritarianism, unless the reason is itself because they are authoritarian. He does; however, provide an extensive number of personality traits that one can identify, and possess a correlation, strong or otherwise, with the authoritarian personality.

In Florida, an anti-abortionist shot and killed a doctor; supporters said he did a good thing (Altemeyer 1). Americans pleaded for stricter gun control after a gunman shot twenty-four people and killed five on a train to Long Island; the NRA opposed any and all new laws (Altemeyer 2). Even after twenty-five years, different, newer versions of these stories have appeared in the news. In the case of the first story there have been many attacks on planned parenthood and even attempts in changing policies when it comes to abortion and whether woman even have the right to this procedure. With the second case, there has been shootings in movie theaters, night clubs, music festivals, churches, and even schools, every year. These stories, both past and present, make me wonder who these people are who are refusing change and why they have the views they