THE PSYCHOLOGY OF POLITICAL ACTIVITY

In: The annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, Band 391, S. 83-96

Abstract

This study examines the att's of citizens to actions that might be taken under hyp'al conditions of gov'al oppression. A technique called Polarized Subgroup Analysis (PSA) was used to divide a nat'l sample of adults (N= 1,200, 18 yrs of age or older) into groups that varied in the amount of systemic punishment that they had experienced. Those who had experienced greater amounts of systemic punishment were less pol'ly active & more rigid in the modes of action that they had utilized. They were more rigid psychol'ly & had higher levels of endorsement of official internal & internat'l use of force. A theory of reduced alternatives is proposed, which hyp'izes that systemic punishment leads to a reduction in pol'al activity as well as behavioral & psychol'al rigidity. It is this rigidity that leads to anxiety over complex situations & increased dependency upon & subsequent identification with authority to reduce the anxiety. This identification then results in greater endorsement of official uses of force, as well as reduced opposition to gov'al oppression. Opposition to gov requires a wide range of pol'al alternatives, which reduces anxiety & dependence & the need for identification. The conditions under which withdrawal (alienation) may occur are briefly discussed. Evidence is given that nonwhites in the US do not identify with authority. (See also SA 0829/E9781.) Modified HA.