Several terms can be used to define dogmatism, and among the easiest to grasp is closed-mindedness. Other terms that surface in describing dogmatic individuals are anti-democratic, intolerant, narrow-minded, authoritarian, and rigid (Wald, 1992; Hassan, 1974). Perhaps the most neutral way of defining dogmatism is reluctance to accept new ideas--the opposite of open-mindedness. Dogmatism, from the root word dogma, involves holding fast to dogma, or set values or beliefs, without considering or respecting other values or beliefs.
Dogmatism is a central concept used in personality research and first was developed to help explain the rise in power of the Nazi regime (Hassan, 1974). The term originally used to describe the concept, authoritarianism, originated in the early 1940s (Fromm, 1941; Maslow, 1943). The first study of the authoritarian personality was completed in 1950 by T. W. Adorno and collaborators (Adorno et al., 1950), and many have followed since. Several scales have been used to measure dogmatism, but many of the early ones measured content of the belief system, not the structure of the belief system. One of these scales originally was designed to measure dogmatism, but it is now referred to as the F (for fascist) Scale (Adorno et al., 1950). Because the content of the dogmatic cognitive belief system is often identified with far right, conservative and fascist views, early researchers failed to recognize that a dogmatic cognitive belief system also can play into far left, liberal and communist views (Hassan, 1974). Christie was one of the first researchers to discover the similarities in cognitive belief systems among those with left- and right-wing leanings (1954).
The new-found political power of the CATG, combined with dogmatic tendencies, is a major concern of the politically liberal and moderate. This conflict is particularly evident in the abortion debate, but is also evident in other political arenas, such as pornography, homosexuality, equal rights for women, and civil rights for minorities (Wald, 1992).
The Christian Constructionist movement, a far-right fringe group of the CATG, is perhaps one of the most dogmatic of religious groups (Clapp, 1987). This group proposes that the United States should turn to Old Testament morality and standards, including laws. Standards advocated by the Christian Constructionists include severe punishment for homosexuals, incorrigible children, adulterers, blasphemers, astrologers, Sabbath-breakers, and practitioners of witchcraft. The Christian Constructionist movement also advocates the reimposition of slavery6 and the abolition of democracy (Clapp, 1987). These views, of course, are taking dogmatism to an extreme and are not indicative of the views held by the majority of CATG members.
Various information-gathering techniques have been used in dogmatism research. Like the studies of religiosity, interviews and questionnaires with indices and scales are common (Deconchy, 1985). Experimental studies also are used to determine the level of dogmatism. One test used in 1960 had subjects solve problems that required them to put aside previously held beliefs (Hassan, 1974).
Many researchers have studied dogmatism as a personality variable, in particular its relationship to religiosity. Researchers have shown repeatedly that dogmatism and religiosity are correlated positively. The first such study was in 1954 (Stouffer, 1966), but numerous studies since then have confirmed the relationship (Rokeach, 1971; Raschke, 1973; Nunn et al., 1978; Davis & Smith, 1989; Clapp, 1987; Wald et al., 1989; Wilcox & Jelen, 1990). Other researchers have found that the relationship holds true for those who score high on the extrinsic values in religiosity scales (for instance, attending church and giving money) but not as high for the intrinsic values (for instance, strong beliefs in religious ethics, values, and principles) (Gorsuch & Aleshire, 1974; Studlar, 1978; Wilson & Bagley, 1973; Allport, 1958; Perkins, 1983; Batson, 1986; Sapp & Jones, 1986).
Researchers have found a strong positive correlation between extrinsic religiosity and dogmatism (Allport & Ross, 1967; Bohra, 1979). Both characteristics have been shown to be related to prejudice (Allport & Ross, 1967; Bohra, 1979).
Strickland and Weddell (1972)
completed research that would suggest that dogmatism is a stronger
influence on attitudes than is religiosity. In a study of Unitarians and
Southern Baptists, it was found that Unitarians were extrinsic and
non-dogmatic. Southern Baptists were found to be intrinsic and dogmatic.
The Unitarians, however, were less prejudiced than the Southern Baptists,
suggesting that dogmatism is stronger than religiosity.