Who is an authoritarian person? Do you think this is a high-handed despot who is guided only by his opinion and never thinks about others? Do not confuse authoritarian people and tyrants. The first person is not distinguished by despotism, it is characterized by a business approach to any undertaking and good planning of each of his actions.
Definition
The theory of an authoritarian personality developed by E. Fromm suggests that an authoritarian person is an adherent of a conservative view of the world and a hater of the existing system of government. Leadership is a burden for man, and he considers it his duty to change the ruling elite. This does not mean that the person will run for president and change the way of the whole country. This means that a person will carry out small revolutions in his circle of communication. For example, a person will be able to lead the plant where she worked for many years as a manager. An authoritarian person is disappointed with life and thinks that such a state is familiar to everyone around him. That is why she seeks power to fill the void with work. The person believes that the feeling of loneliness arises from the presence of a large amount of free time, which most people do not know how to manage.
Stereotypes
Everyone speaks of authoritarian personalities. Not surprisingly, there are many stereotypes about them. Below are the most famous:
- A person who seeks power is unfamiliar with any moral values. Such a person is low in itself and if she wants to lead, then she seeks to raise her ego and become a despot.
- The limitedness of mind is attributed to such people. But if you look at historical examples, it becomes clear that people of an authoritarian character are not only smart, but also insightful. But they are not destroyed by their own frivolity, but by unsatisfied ambitions.
- Such a person always requires too much from others. This is partly true. But it should be borne in mind that first of all, a person requires good performance from himself. A person works tirelessly and it is logical that the same person will demand from others.
- Discipline. An authoritative person loves when everything goes according to his plan and no circumstances violate the achievement of goals. Discipline helps to quickly achieve their goals, as people will focus on the result, rather than spraying energy on insignificant actions.
What makes a person authoritarian?
The formation of any person occurs in childhood. It is logical that an authoritarian personality is a product of improper upbringing. What can cause a change in consciousness in a child and the acquisition of false values?
Anxiety. A person who will be afraid of everything in the world will always and everywhere strive to take control of the situation. Most often, such feelings in a child give birth to mothers who care too much about their child. Mom does not allow the child to do anything without demand and always scares the baby. Anxiety is sealed on the subconscious of the child and therefore he unconsciously seeks to take any situation under control.
Lack of independence. This character trait is also the result of hyper-custody. If parents from childhood do not force the child to work and all decisions are made by themselves, then the baby will grow up too arrogant and smug. A person will disguise his inability to make decisions under confidence. A person will begin to exploit others to achieve his interests.
The habit of submission. If in childhood, the father forced the baby to obey any of his requirements, then growing up, the child can harbor resentment and pour it in more adults on others. A person will make others dance to his tune.
Traits
To make it easier to identify such a personality among your friends, you should understand who it is, an authoritarian person. What character traits does a person have, what are her preferences and value system:
- Conservatism. Man does not like something new, and he will make his small revolutions on the basis of long-established methods. Innovation scares people, as new technologies seem unreliable and untested. Confidence in technology and methods of action is very important for such a person.
- Servility. Another feature of authoritarianism is the leader’s desire to enslave the consciousness of his subordinates. For his "subjects", an authoritarian person wants to be almost a god, well, at least an idol.
- The cult of power. Man believes that everything in the world can be achieved through coercion. But this does not mean that he will use his fists to achieve his goals. A man will not stop at nothing in order to realize his desires.
- Cynicism. A person who is an authoritarian person will contemptuously treat everyone around him. And since contempt on the face is not the best mask, the person will mask his true emotions under cynicism and sarcasm.
A family
An authoritarian person is a person who has received the wrong education. Parents overlooked the child and therefore he began to develop various phobias and strange preferences that contradict normal social foundations. Which families contribute to the development of an authoritarian personality? A single-parent family, a family in which the father drinks and a family that cares too much for the child. It is the extremes that form the unhealthy child. A person must grow from childhood in an atmosphere of love and tenderness. If he receives less attention from his parents, he will grow up embittered and will hate everyone. If the mother shook too much over the child, she will be able to grow a selfish being who will manipulate others without a twinge of conscience. Therefore, it is the task of parents to properly develop their child. There is no need to blame their mistakes on bad teachers or the bad influence of the street. A good family never brings up an asocial type.
A difficult situation
What does an authoritarian person mean? This is a person who will set the desire for power as her main goal. A person will long for domination everywhere: in the family, at work, among friends. What affects the person’s desire to lead others? The difficult political or economic situation in which the child’s consciousness is formed leaves an imprint on the life of an adult. If a child from childhood understood that managers are not coping with their tasks, then he began to tune himself to the fact that his task is to normalize the situation in the country and achieve a better life for everyone. Despite all his desire to lead, a person always has good intentions. He does not want power for the sake of power. He wants to benefit the world and help all those who suffer.
Education
The authoritarian type of person protests against some rules and standards. He is not against learning, but he is only interested in those knowledge and skills that may be useful in the future. Most often, such individuals choose technical, not humanitarian, professions. An authoritarian person is trying to improve his vision of the world, but he is limited by the ability to look from only one point of view. He cannot enter the position of other people. Therefore, exact sciences are given to man better. Such a person receives knowledge with pleasure and never refuses to take any courses. A person continues his education even after graduation. Indeed, to be a good and competent specialist in any field, you need to constantly improve yourself.
Profession
Profession, like education, leaves its mark on a person. A person who works in power structures is more inclined towards authoritarianism. But a person who is engaged in philosophical activities, art or other creative activities is unlikely to develop plans to capture the world. Those who, thanks to their profession, have power over others, can use their powers at all for noble purposes. For example, an officer has much more chances and opportunities to show his authoritarian nature than an ordinary soldier. And a person who has served subordinated to a contract all his life will cringe not only at work, but also in his family. The habit of obeying, as well as the habit of command, extends to a person’s entire life.
Communication
An authoritarian style of communication stands out from the rest:
- A person will talk to you as if you owe him something. He will intentionally belittle your dignity and put moral pressure on you to raise your status. If you do not succumb to such manipulations, then the person will switch to active aggression.
- Such a person will always give orders. The person will not ask the opinion of the interlocutor. He himself will decide what the opponent needs and will be sure of his innocence even when the interlocutor tries to say the opposite.
- A person will adhere to his opinion, even if he realizes that it is fundamentally wrong. He is unlikely to be able to admit that he was wrong, and accept his defeat.
Good or bad
Authoritarian behavior can only be condemned if the person has bad intentions. He will strive for his main goal, which will be to improve this world. The followers of a clever authoritarian person will be freedom-loving and adequate persons. They will not blindly submit to their idol. Their obedience will be justified. The leader will help his followers to become better, and will also show the road to follow, so as not to step on pitfalls.
But the situation changes when an authoritarian person with psychological problems comes to power. In this case, the dictator will do what he wants. Such a person will not give someone a report in their actions. But the individual will demand blind and instant submission from his subordinates.
Human reputation
How does an authoritarian personality type perceive others? People are afraid of tyrants. Complacency and respect are more like fear. An authoritarian personality is quite happy with this situation. She has no close friends, and therefore a person enjoys the respect emanating from his retinue. In wide circles, the person is always known. She has a reputation as a good specialist and a good leader. Nothing bad can be said about a person. But working with him is sometimes simply impossible. The person tries to remake all subordinates to his own standards, which from the outside may seem wild.
Test
Are you into socionics? The personality type test will be to your taste. By answering questions, you can understand how your worldview is similar or at odds with authoritarian people. Answer yes or no. Below are some of the questions from the F-scale test:
- Should children be accustomed to respect and obedience earlier than anything else?
- Can a person without good manners exist normally in a decent society?
- Will a man only succeed when he works hard?
- Are industrialists, managers and salesmen more important than artists and writers?
- Our universe is unknowable, and man can never comprehend all its secrets.
- Is man a toy in the hands of supernatural power?
- Does a liberal person become a conservative with age?
- Laws are not as important to the state as a smart leader who will show people the path to happiness?
Do you believe in socionics? The personality type test should show you how authoritarianism is developed in your soul. If you answered most of the questions in the affirmative, it means that in your heart you are a born dictator.