Differentiated evaluation of counter-conditioned stimuli as a function of right-wing authoritarianism

• DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/3mfa8
• Publication Date: 2018-07-02T11:20:44Z
• Authors: Amélie Bret; Brice Beffara; Adrien Mierop; Martial Mermillod
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Right Wing Authoritarianism (i.e., RWA) is associated with enhanced conservatism and social prejudice. Because research linking RWA to attitudes is fully correlational (i.e., it offers control on neither RWA nor on attitude learning), it is not clear, how RWA relates to attitude learning dynamics. We addressed this question in 11 evaluative conditioning experiments that offered a rigorous control on the affective learning setting. Results from two integrative data analyses suggest that (i) individuals scoring higher in RWA show a stronger acquisition of positive attitudes, and that (ii) this more positive evaluation resists novel counterattitudinal information. Implications of these findings for research on RWA and its link to social prejudice are discussed.