NCJ Number
12562
Date Published
1973
Length
195 pages
Annotation
COLLECTION OF MATERIALS DESIGNED FOR TEACHER TRAINING BASED ON THE CONCEPT OF AUTHORITY AS THE REASONABLE OR LEGITIMATE EXERCISE OF INFLUENCE AND COMMAND BY THOSE IN POSITIONS OF POWER WITHIN THE CONFINES OF RULES.
Abstract
THE CASEBOOK BEGINS WITH AN EXAMINATION OF THE SOURCES AND FUNCTIONS OF AUTHORITY. AT ONE EXTREME ARE THOSE WHO SEE NO NEED FOR AUTHORITY OF ANY KIND. THEN THERE ARE THOSE WHO BELIEVE THAT ALL RULES FOR LIFE HAVE BEEN SET FORTH BY A SUPREME AUTHORITY. MOST OF US, HOWEVER, FALL SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN, AND IT IS IN THIS AREA THAT THE MATERIAL SEARCHES FOR THE SOURCES AND NATURE, IF ANY, OF AUTHORITY. WHILE THE FOREGOING IS THEORETICAL, THE FACT OF AUTHORITY IN OUR DAILY LIVES IS INCONTROVERTIBLE. THEREFORE, THE SECOND SECTION OF THE CASEBOOK CONSIDERS THE INFLUENCE THAT MODES OF AUTHORITY HAVE ON THE INDIVIDUAL'S DEVELOPMENT OF ATTITUDES. THE THIRD SECTION CONSIDERS THE COSTS AND BENEFITS OF VARIOUS KINDS OF AUTHORITY. THERE ARE DISCUSSIONS OF THE PSYCHOLOGICAL, SOCIOLOGICAL, AND POLITICAL BURDENS AND BENEFITS. THE SECTION IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT EXAMPLES FROM WHICH REASONABLE GENERALIZATIONS MAY BE INDUCED. FINALLY, THE LAST SECTION EXPLORES THE PRACTICAL AND MORAL LIMITS THAT ARE OR SHOULD BE PLACED UPON THE LEGITIMATE EXERCISE OF AUTHORITY. FOR THE OTHER VOLUMES ON THE CONCEPT OF AUTHORITY, SEE NCJ-12563, AND 12564. FOR AN OVERVIEW OF THE LAW IN A FREE SOCIETY SERIES, SEE NCJ12570. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)