Why are people authoritarian and having so much trouble assuming this, are they in all areas of our lives, whether in the family, work or political sphere, but what are the characteristics of authoritarian people?
This personality is identified by the use and abuse of power, in his mind lies prejudice and the need for domination, as well as cynicism, a double moral background and intolerance.
- The study of authoritarian personality began shortly after the end of the world war and the Holocaust; in such a painful.
- Disappointing and strange social context.
- Academia has never stopped wondering how racism.
- Prejudice and authoritarianism have managed to acquire enough strength to move the world towards this chaotic destiny.
One of the most representative figures of this scientific, psychological and philosophical movement was Theodor W. Adorno, who, based on the theories of Erich Fromm and an in-depth analysis of the anti-Semitic ideology and the anti-democratic movements of the time, shaped the famous Berkeley study, which defined the authoritarian personality in a psychoanalytic and psychosocial framework.
Many people may think that the premises established by Adorno are out of context, because we are in another time and in other circumstances. But not quite. Authoritarian persons and the need for power, whether in the political context or in the privacy of a home with an intolerant father or mother, will always be present.
The authoritarian character and the blind search for domination are a seed that continues to grow in certain personalities, a psychological characteristic that must be learned to recognize, in this article we will see the keys that define them.
Is pride a deficiency that often affects the poor mortals who suddenly find themselves in a situation of miserable power?Jose de San Martín?
Authoritarians classify the world with the simplicity and rigidity of a 5-year-old. Are things good or bad? And anyone who accepts their views, values and opinions will go the right way; however, anyone who shows a disagreement or opinion contrary to theirs will be a potential enemy.
For example, it is very common for this type of bossy personality to have a definite opinion on what a “good man”, “a good father”, “a good son” should be. or “a good woman. ” Your political leanings, your religion, or even your favorite sports team are like untouchable temples that others must respect and maintain with equal reverence.
Everything about me is better, not only my country, my culture and my language are the most worthy that can exist, but it is the only conceivable and acceptable thing.
This mental attitude and pattern provoke discriminatory and offensive behaviors, practices laden with dangerous prejudices that reject the “different”, despise anything that is not in line with their narrow thoughts.
With the election of Donald Trump as president of the United States, do we have many examples of the dimensions mentioned above: racism, ethnocentrism, nationalist ideas?There was a specific moment during the election campaign in which former Mexican President Vicente Fox gave an exact definition. of what trump’s figure meant to him: an authoritarian personality who wields power through fear.
Trump won the U. S. election with a slogan that also occurs in many other contexts, especially at the family level or in a relationship, some people do not hesitate to use catastrophic threats or thoughts to fuel fear and thus exercise domination.
No matter what your skill is, no matter what you’ve studied or the hobby you practice, because authoritarian people will always try to stay above you, however, the mechanisms they will use to achieve it are based on the most enigmatic and aggressive contempt.
If you have multiple degrees you will say that you have no life experience, if you are qualified and competent in your work you will be assigned tasks that do not match your skills, this type of personality does not admit that anyone can stand it. out, except him, of course.
We all know that authoritarian people like to have a dominant position, control others, whether in the family, in the company where they work or in the political sphere, however, their leadership is not democratic, will never use the dynamics based on Emotional Intelligence that values human capital, which promotes a climate of harmony, trust and coexistence , thus promoting happiness and productivity. He’s doing the opposite.
An authoritarian leader is aggressive, does not have empathy, seeks to meet his own needs and has very little tolerance for frustration, this makes him unable to see the needs of others, and many times he reacts negatively because he thinks they are weaknesses, sentimentalities that we owe avoid.
They say it’s harder to break a prejudice than an atom. This is true and applies to the characteristics of authoritarian people. They have a mental focus as narrow as the chas of a needle: there is no other opinion than one’s own, another belief or other truth, something that she herself has created throughout her life.
Prejudice and rigid thinking are the termites of our society, dimensions that weaken our opportunity to build true coexistence, genuine social respect and, essentially, a more democratic and dignified world for all.
Prejudice and rigid thinking are the termites of our society
Authoritarian peoples live in pure artifice. At first glance they seem imposing and can even frighten us, they tend to be placed on high pedestals, but the base behind them is so weak that you only have to listen to their comments to realize that behind them there is a simple mind, a hollow mind of arguments, a desert of ideas and logical reasoning.
Their personal universe is limited to defending what for them is the universal truth, however, it is often enough to challenge them with certain arguments to overthrow this simplistic approach on which they support their entire ideology.
The main problem with authoritarian personality is that, behind this simplistic thinking, we can find the root of aggression, so it is very common for them to feel threatened or placed in a lower position, react in the worst way.
Now that you know the characteristics of authoritarian people, it is convenient to learn to manage this type of personality: maintaining a careful distance is the best strategy and the best way to maintain our psychological and emotional integrity. You have to learn to recognize an authoritarian. personality, not only to defend ourselves against it, but to not accept a senseless power that could endanger the noblest values of our society.