Right-Wing Authoritarianism Scale
Also known as: RWA
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.
Key highlights
- Comprehensive measurement of authoritarianism based on Altemeyer's extensive theoretical development
- Excellent internal consistency and test-retest reliability across diverse samples
- Strong predictive validity for political attitudes, prejudice, and support for authoritarian policies
- 30-item format provides sufficient items for reliable measurement
Intuition
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How it works
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When to use it
Use the RWA scale in research on political attitudes, prejudice, support for punitive policies, and authoritarianism. Suitable for general adult populations, college student samples, and organizational settings. The scale is particularly valuable when investigating personality-based predictors of authoritarianism and examining relationships with political ideology, prejudice, and adherence to conventional norms.
Strengths & limitations
- Comprehensive measurement of authoritarianism based on Altemeyer's extensive theoretical development
- Excellent internal consistency and test-retest reliability across diverse samples
- Strong predictive validity for political attitudes, prejudice, and support for authoritarian policies
- 30-item format provides sufficient items for reliable measurement
- The label 'right-wing' may confound authoritarianism with political conservatism; authoritarianism exists across the political spectrum
- May be subject to social desirability bias; some respondents hesitate to endorse authoritarian attitudes
- The 9-point scale may be cognitively demanding for some respondents compared to 5-point alternatives
- Some items are culturally specific regarding what constitutes 'traditional' or 'conventional' values
Common pitfalls
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Applications
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Frequently asked
What is the difference between RWA and social dominance orientation (SDO)?
RWA reflects submission to authority and adherence to convention; SDO reflects preference for group-based dominance and hierarchy. RWA individuals support the established order; SDO individuals seek to dominate within that order. Both predict conservatism but through different mechanisms.
Why is it called 'right-wing' authoritarianism?
Historically, authoritarianism has been more prevalent and visible on the political right. However, authoritarianism—valuing obedience, order, and punishment—exists across the political spectrum. Some scholars use 'authoritarianism' without the 'right-wing' label to avoid political connotations.
Does high RWA mean someone is a bad person?
High RWA reflects a personality orientation toward order, authority, and tradition, not moral worth. Many high-RWA individuals are conscientious, law-abiding, and community-oriented. RWA describes a personality trait, not character or morality.
Can RWA scores change significantly over a person's lifetime?
While RWA is relatively stable, significant life events, educational experiences, and exposure to diverse perspectives can shift scores. Major social crises sometimes increase RWA temporarily. Generally, RWA shows substantial stability across years and decades.
Sources
- 1.Altemeyer, B. (1981). Right-wing authoritarianism. University of Manitoba Press.
- 2.Altemeyer, B. (1988). Enemies of freedom: Understanding right-wing authoritarianism. Jossey-Bass.
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Cite this page
ScholarGate. (2026, June 3). Right-Wing Authoritarianism Scale. ScholarGate. https://scholargate.app/social-psychology/right-wing-authoritarianism-scale