Two studies examined the relationship between authoritarianism, cognitive style and heuristic processing.
Focusing on Epstein’s (2003) cognitive-experiential self-theory, Study 1 shows that authoritarianism
is related to Epstein’s dimension of faith in intuition, but not need for cognition, even when controlling
for individual differences in need for structure. Study 2 confirms that authoritarianism is related to
greater heuristic processing. The discussion suggests ways in which individual differences in cognitive
style and heuristic processing may account for established effects of authoritarianism. |