英文摘要 |
An indigenous approach and the perspective of Chinese relationalism were used to investigate the formation process and components of Chinese authoritarian orientation (AO) and compare it with AO as conceptualized by Yang (1993, 2004). A qualitative study was conducted in which 18 participants (10 men and 8 women) were interviewed regarding their experiences interacting with authority figures (e.g., parents and teachers) since childhood. The narratives were analyzed based on the principle of hermeneutic circle. The results showed there are 4 stages in the formation of AO: pre-AO, instrumental, obligational, and habitual. After the pre-AO stage, authority-dread and authority-dependence appear in the instrumental stage. Authority-reverence and authority-obedience develop in the obligational stage. In the habitual stage, the psychological and behavioral modes learned during previous stages become habits reflecting authority-sensitivity. The components emerging from the latter stages do not substitute for the earlier ones, but instead supplement them, meaning that the formation of AO goes from simple to complex. Chinese AO as described in this study was compared with Yang’s AO and with authoritarian personality as defined in the Western literature. Future research directions are also discussed. |