Process / pipelineSocial cognition

Right-Wing Authoritarianism Scale

The Right-Wing Authoritarianism Scale (RWA) is a self-report measure developed by Bob Altemeyer in 1981 to assess individual differences in authoritarian attitudes, including submission to established authorities, adherence to conventional norms, and aggression toward those perceived to violate social conventions. The scale measures three core dimensions: authoritarian submission, authoritarian aggression, and conventionalism. It has become a cornerstone of research on authoritarianism, political attitudes, and intergroup prejudice.

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Sources

  1. Altemeyer, B. (1981). Right-wing authoritarianism. University of Manitoba Press. link
  2. Altemeyer, B. (1988). Enemies of freedom: Understanding right-wing authoritarianism. Jossey-Bass. link

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Referenced by

ScholarGateRight-Wing Authoritarianism Scale (Right-Wing Authoritarianism Scale (RWA)). Retrieved 2026-06-04 from https://scholargate.app/en/social-psychology/right-wing-authoritarianism-scale