Kang Muslim
The Historical Pursuit of the Authoritarian Mindset
To understand the significance of Eftedal’s findings, one must look back to the mid-20th century. Following the catastrophic events of the Second World War and the rise of totalitarian regimes across Europe and Asia, the academic community sought to identify the psychological roots of blind obedience. In 1950, Theodor Adorno and his colleagues published "The Authoritarian Personality," introducing the "F-scale" to measure fascist tendencies. This evolved into the modern construct of Right-Wing Authoritarianism, popularized by psychologist Bob Altemeyer in the 1980s.
RWA is defined by three primary clusters: authoritarian submission (a high degree of deference to established authorities), authoritarian aggression (a desire to see "deviants" or those who challenge tradition punished), and conventionalism (a rigid adherence to social norms perceived as endorsed by society). Historically, RWA has been one of the most reliable predictors of political behavior, religious fundamentalism, and prejudice toward out-groups. As global political landscapes become increasingly polarized, understanding whether education acts as a "cure" for authoritarianism or merely a "marker" for other traits has become a matter of urgent social importance.
Methodology: The Power of the Twin Study Design
The primary challenge in political psychology is the "omitted variable" problem. It is well-documented that university graduates are less authoritarian than those with only a high school diploma. However, it is difficult to determine if the university experience itself changes a person’s mind, or if people who are naturally more open-minded and intelligent are simply more likely to pursue higher education.
To solve this, Eftedal and his team turned to the Norwegian Twin Registry, analyzing data from 1,284 individuals. The study utilized "discordant twin" pairs—twins who differ in their level of educational attainment. This design is considered a "natural experiment." Identical (monozygotic) twins share 100% of their genetic material and, generally, 100% of their early home environment. If an identical twin who attended university is significantly less authoritarian than their co-twin who did not, researchers can more confidently attribute that difference to the education itself, rather than to genes or upbringing. Fraternal (dizygotic) twins, who share 50% of their DNA, provide a secondary layer of comparison to further isolate genetic influences.
Deconstructing the Correlation: Data and Statistical Breakdown
The researchers employed sophisticated statistical modeling to partition the negative correlation between education and RWA into three distinct categories: shared environment, shared genetics, and non-shared (unique) environment.
The Role of Shared Environment (47%)
The study found that nearly half—47%—of the link between education and lower authoritarianism was explained by factors that twins shared during their upbringing. This includes parental influence, neighborhood quality, and household resources. Specifically, about 15% of this shared environmental effect was directly linked to the family’s socioeconomic status (SES) during childhood. Using a visual "ladder" scale, participants ranked their family’s standing in society. The data suggests that growing up in a high-status household provides a foundation that simultaneously encourages academic achievement and fosters a more liberal, less rigid worldview.
The Genetic Contribution (25%)
Approximately one-quarter of the relationship was attributed to shared genetics. While this figure is notable, the researchers cautioned that the genetic link did not reach the threshold of statistical significance in this specific sample. However, it aligns with broader psychological theories suggesting that traits like "Openness to Experience"—one of the Big Five personality traits—are heritable. A person born with a genetic predisposition toward curiosity and novelty-seeking is likely to find both higher education attractive and authoritarian dogma repulsive.
The Direct Impact of Education (28%)
Perhaps the most significant finding for educators and policymakers is that 28% of the correlation remained even after accounting for genetics and upbringing. This "leftover" portion suggests that the act of going to school has a genuine, independent effect on a person’s perspective. Whether through exposure to diverse cultures, the development of critical thinking skills, or the challenging of inherited biases, the university environment appears to actively reduce authoritarian inclinations.
Testing the Economic Security Hypothesis
A prominent theory in political science suggests that education reduces authoritarianism indirectly by increasing a person’s income. The logic follows that individuals with higher wealth feel more secure and less threatened by social change, thereby reducing their need for the "protection" offered by strongman leaders or rigid traditionalism.
However, the Eftedal study found no evidence to support this. When the researchers analyzed adult income and current social status, these factors did not explain the link between a degree and a tolerant worldview. This suggests that the "liberalizing" effect of education is more likely cognitive or social rather than purely economic. It is not the paycheck that comes with the degree that changes the mind; it is the experience of the education itself.
Chronology of the Research Process
The data for this study was drawn from a comprehensive survey of Norwegian twins born between 1950 and 1965.
- Recruitment: Participants were contacted via the Norwegian Twin Registry, a resource maintained to facilitate longitudinal health and psychological research.
- Assessment: Between 2015 and 2017, participants completed extensive questionnaires measuring RWA, educational history, and perceived social class.
- Analysis: The research team applied biometric modeling to compare identical and fraternal twin sets, focusing on pairs where educational paths diverged.
- Publication: The final analysis was peer-reviewed and published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin in late 2023/early 2024.
Limitations and Geographical Context
While the study is methodologically rigorous, the authors noted several limitations. The participants were all Norwegian and aged between 55 and 70. This demographic cohort grew up in a specific era of the Norwegian welfare state, characterized by relatively low inequality and a specific educational curriculum.
Furthermore, the study did not differentiate between fields of study. Previous research has indicated that students in the humanities, arts, and social sciences often show greater decreases in authoritarianism compared to those in vocational, technical, or business fields. The "what" of education may be just as important as the "how much."
Implications for Modern Society and Policy
The findings have profound implications for the "education divide" currently seen in Western democracies. In the United States, the United Kingdom, and much of Europe, educational attainment has become one of the strongest predictors of voting behavior. This study confirms that this divide is not merely a matter of different economic interests, but reflects a deep psychological divergence.
If 28% of the reduction in authoritarianism is indeed a direct result of schooling, then investments in higher education could be viewed as a tool for strengthening democratic stability. By fostering environments that reward critical inquiry and exposure to diverse perspectives, educational institutions may serve as a primary bulwark against the rise of illiberalism.
Conversely, the heavy influence of shared environment (47%) suggests that interventions must begin long before a student reaches a university campus. Addressing childhood inequality and providing stable, resource-rich environments for young children may be just as critical in preventing the development of rigid, authoritarian worldviews later in life.
Future Directions in Behavioral Genetics
The research team suggests that future studies should expand to include "extended twin designs," incorporating the spouses and children of twins. This would allow scientists to account for "assortative mating"—the tendency for people to choose partners with similar political views. This phenomenon can often inflate estimates of genetic and environmental influence in traditional twin studies.
As political tensions continue to rise globally, the work of Eftedal and his colleagues provides a vital roadmap for understanding the origins of our ideological differences. It suggests that while we are partially products of our DNA and our parents’ status, the path we take through the education system remains a powerful force in shaping the citizens we become.
