Anxiety and Dogmatism

Rokeach (1960) has suggested that dogmatism represents a cognitive network of defenses against anxiety. However, this position has been inadequately and inconsisrently supported (Byrne, Blaylock, & Goldberg, 1966; Fillenbaum & Jackman, 1961; Norman, 1966; Rebhun, 1966; Rokeach & Kemp, 1960; Rokeach & Bonier, 1960; Rokeach, Toch, & Rotunan, 1960; Sticht 8: Fox, 1966). The present study tests the hypothesis that anxiety created by situational threat is positively associated with closed-mindedness. Ss were selected on their availability from two metal industry factories in an upstate New York city. All were long-term employees who were 40 to 58 yr. of age. Nine employees from a factory ceasing local operations and transferring no workers (high-anxiety group) and 10 from a factory not contemplating any reduction in work force (low-anxiety group) completed Form E of the Dogmatism Scale (Rokeach, 1960). The 9 highanxiety Ss' mean Dogmatism Scale scores (M = 143.00) were significantly higher than the 10 low-anxiety Ss' mean scores (M = 129.40; t = 2.17, p < .05), thus supporting the hypothesis.