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Robert (Bob) Anthony Altemeyer (1940-2024).
1Brock University.
The American Psychologist
|July 11, 2024
Summary
Robert Altemeyer developed the influential right-wing authoritarianism (RWA) construct, viewing it as an attitudinal orientation and trait. His unconventional approach and authentic scientific legacy highlight the impact of independent thought in psychology.
Area of Science:
- Social psychology
- Personality psychology
- Political psychology
Background:
- Robert (Bob) Anthony Altemeyer (1940-2024) was a distinguished social psychologist.
- He significantly contributed to personality and political psychology research.
- Altemeyer was educated at Yale and Carnegie-Mellon, and spent his career at the University of Manitoba.
Observation:
- Altemeyer developed the "right-wing authoritarianism" (RWA) construct.
- He received the AAAS Prize for Behavioral Science Research in 1986 for this work.
- His RWA construct differed from earlier models by emphasizing social learning principles.
Findings:
- Altemeyer conceptualized authoritarianism as both an attitudinal orientation and a personality trait.
- While his social learning hypothesis for RWA was later challenged, he anticipated potential heritable components.
- His work demonstrated that RWA has strong heritable components.
Implications:
- Altemeyer's legacy underscores the value of authenticity and independent thinking in scientific advancement.
- His unconventional publication style (primarily books) and writing approach left a unique mark.
- His research continues to influence the understanding of authoritarianism in psychology.
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