The Henchman's Brain: Neuropsychological Implications of Authoritarianism and Prejudice

Abstract

Why do some individuals have an unwavering obedience to authority? Why do these same individuals often present with a proclivity toward prejudicial beliefs? This chapter aims to elucidate these questions by reviewing evidence from psychological and neuropsychological studies. First, we explore research findings regarding authoritarianism and prejudice that reveal the two constructs to be highly associated and multidetermined. Next, we examine the False Tagging Theory, a neuroanatomical model suggesting that the ventromedial prefrontal cortex is a critical neural substrate involved in falsifying initially believed propositions, including automatic prejudicial beliefs and authoritarian attitudes. Evidence from human lesion studies-in conjunction with neuroimaging findings-may offer a neural explanation for how individuals inhibit authoritarian and prejudicial beliefs. Taken together, the findings reviewed in this chapter suggest that distinctive regions of the brain-when damaged-may be responsible for creating an ostensibly authoritarian, obedient, and prejudicial behavioral profile: the profile of a henchman.