TY - JOUR
T1 - The ideal type of authority in the United States and Germany
AU - Schneider, Andreas
PY - 2004
Y1 - 2004
N2 - Using affect control theory, an ideal type of authority is developed from the literature identifying three dimensions of meaning. This ideal type is then used to compare U.S. and German subjects. Because their power is legitimated by cultural rules, authorities are positively evaluated despite their ability to coerce. Because it is understood, authorities need not engage in expressive action to demonstrate their power. The affective meaning of role identities reflects their structural meaning, such as authority. Role identities, rated on three-dimensional semantic differential scales of affective meaning, are classified using a K-means clustering algorithm to empirically generate clusters of structural meaning. The cluster discussed here corresponds to the ideal typical authority category of potent, positively evaluated, and not expressive role identities. In the two studies reported here involving more than 1,700 U.S. and German subjects, I find a high degree of cross-cultural agreement on what is classified as authority. However, U.S. and German youth differ significantly in confirming the ideal type of authority. German youth dislike the power potential of authorities more than their U.S. counterparts do.
AB - Using affect control theory, an ideal type of authority is developed from the literature identifying three dimensions of meaning. This ideal type is then used to compare U.S. and German subjects. Because their power is legitimated by cultural rules, authorities are positively evaluated despite their ability to coerce. Because it is understood, authorities need not engage in expressive action to demonstrate their power. The affective meaning of role identities reflects their structural meaning, such as authority. Role identities, rated on three-dimensional semantic differential scales of affective meaning, are classified using a K-means clustering algorithm to empirically generate clusters of structural meaning. The cluster discussed here corresponds to the ideal typical authority category of potent, positively evaluated, and not expressive role identities. In the two studies reported here involving more than 1,700 U.S. and German subjects, I find a high degree of cross-cultural agreement on what is classified as authority. However, U.S. and German youth differ significantly in confirming the ideal type of authority. German youth dislike the power potential of authorities more than their U.S. counterparts do.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=8344242114&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1525/sop.2004.47.3.313
DO - 10.1525/sop.2004.47.3.313
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:8344242114
SN - 0731-1214
VL - 47
SP - 313
EP - 327
JO - Sociological Perspectives
JF - Sociological Perspectives
IS - 3
ER -