A cross cultural study of authoritarian attitudes in English and Jordanian cultures

Abstract

This study has two aims. In the first place, it undertakes a cross-cultural comparison, between, the levels of authoritarianism in the attitudes of a Jordanian and an English sample of male University students. The Jordanian sample emerges as significantly more authoritarian. Secondly, using the material obtained in the samples, it establishes a correlation between a generally authoritarian outlook, as measured on the F scale, and a specifically authoritarian attitude in family matters as measured on the TFI scale. The theoretical and methodological background to the research undertaken is discussed in the opening Chapter. The history and theory of the measurement of attitudes, especially with regard to authoritarianism, are presented, as are the results of previous research conducted in the Middle East on the same subject using a comparative-sample of Eastern and Western students. In general, methodological problems of cross-cultural studies are also considered. The Author’s primary interest is in the results of the Jordanian sample. An account of the major aspects of Jordanian culture precedes the presentation of the data in view of the context which it supplies. The data was obtained from sample of 184 students from Durham University on the English side, and 200 students from the University of Jordan. The close correlation between the results on the F scale and those of the TFI scale clearly raises the question of the role of family in encouraging the authoritarian features of Jordanian culture. AS examination is, therefore, undertaken in conclusion of those aspects of Jordanian family life which appear to promote and reinforce this authoritarianism.