Dogmatism, Ideology, and Right-Wing Radical Activity

Abstract

The relationship between dogmatism, authoritarian attitudes, and right-wing radical activity was measured in a radical group, Gush Emunim (N = 34), and in a group of nonactivists (N = 32). The two groups matched on variables known to be correlated with dogmatism (sex, age, religious observance, level of education). The findings were that although dogmatism (Rokeach's D scale) was related to authoritarian attitudes (anti-Arab rights, pro-censorship of media, pro-severe punishment of criminals), it was not related to radical activity. The latter was related only to those attitudes that are part of Gush Emunim's fundamentalist interpretation of religiousZionistic ideology. These findings buttress the claim that ideology, rather than dogmatic personality, explains radical activity.