What does the F-scale developed by Adorno et al. primarily measure?

The F-scale, developed by Theodor Adorno and his colleagues, is specifically designed to measure the concept known as the authoritarian personality. This scale was created in the context of post-World War II research to identify individuals who exhibit rigid, dogmatic thinking and a predisposition toward prejudice and discrimination.

Individuals who score high on the F-scale tend to show a tendency to adhere to conventional norms, be highly respectful of authority figures, and display hostility towards outgroups. The scale encompasses a range of attitudes, including a generalized dislike for those who are perceived as different, which can include various marginalized groups. The authors aimed to understand how personality traits could predispose individuals to fascist ideologies and behaviors.

The development of the F-scale is rooted in the belief that those who have an authoritarian personality structure are more likely to hold prejudiced views and be intolerant of diversity, reflecting a broader category of social attitudes and personality characteristics rather than focusing on specific ethnic or cultural biases, such as anti-Semitism, which would be more narrowly defined. Thus, the correct answer focuses on the comprehensive measurement of authoritarian traits rather than on specific instances of prejudice or social identity dynamics.