Updated July 19, 2022 787 Author: Dmitry Petrov
Hello, dear readers of the KtoNaNovenkogo.ru blog. We are all members of society, and therefore, whether we like it or not, we are forced to always be in interaction with other people.
Relations within the human community are subject to certain rules. Some are followers, some are leaders. Why is this happening? And the whole point is that the leader has authority in his environment, this gives him the opportunity to manage other people.
Let's talk today about what authority is, how it is gained, and whether it can be purposefully formed.
What it is
Social psychology has its own explanation of the term authority, what it is and how to obtain such status. In everyday understanding, this word means a person or organization that has a great influence on society. Unlike tyranny, recognition is obtained through non-violent means. It is given for intellectual achievements or moral qualities.
Definition in psychology
In social psychology, the term authority is explained a little differently; this concept affects the social sphere. It means a special form of influence on a group of people.
Important! Fans uncritically accept information from their idol and unconditionally believe him.
The main method of management is belief. People voluntarily recognize the power of an authority and agree to follow him. Not every individual knows how to use authority. Such influence is formed due to special personal qualities and abilities to organize general activities.
The concept of personal authority
This term refers to special personal development that reaches a high level. Such a person commands respect from many people. Often this type of power is based on charisma, i.e. unconscious attraction.
A person with personal authority has special energy, passion, and the ability to speak emotionally and inspiringly. He has good looks, good rhetorical skills, and is confident.
Personal authority is a synthesis of innate and acquired qualities. Every leader who wants to become successful should acquire a similar form of influence.
Instrument of power
Many people strive to take a leadership position, but it is not easy to do. It is possible to obtain the position of chief by force, but this will not give complete satisfaction from having power.
Authority in society means a lot and provides great opportunities.
The peculiarity of authority is that people themselves choose whom to follow and whom to believe. They do not need to be forced or forced. An individual with this form of influence knows how to persuade, and there is no doubt about the correctness of his decisions.
In social psychology, it is believed that authority is based on trust, respect, and democracy. This is what is useful for recognizing yourself as a leader. All other methods will not give long-term results.
In pedagogy, authority is also important, since the obedience of students depends on it. Modern children will not respect a teacher just because of the age difference. Therefore, an adult will have to find ways to win the favor of schoolchildren.
Main types
In psychology, there are different forms of authority. Each of them has its own characteristics of manifestation. Many people want to gain universal recognition, and for this they choose several paths.
Imaginary and real
Subconscious - what is it, definition
A person receives true authority as a result of his constructive activities. This takes him a lot of time and effort. An individual must have certain personal qualities: confidence, charisma, ability to persuade, etc.
A person does not always understand what authority is and how to achieve it. Some people want quick results. Therefore, they choose the simple path: setups, lies, intrigue, gossip. In this case, they will have false power. This is how a leader gains not the respect of other people and recognition, but the support of influential people. His position is very weak and can be shaken at any moment. In rare cases, false authority helps to become an eminence grise, but not a full-fledged leader with strong power.
Rational and irrational
There is another classification. If a person relies on the arguments of reason and critically evaluates his qualities and abilities, he can gain rational authority.
Important! The higher the level of professional competence, the more serious the recognition.
The peculiarity of this type is that a person becomes an authority in a certain field. For example, a teacher can tell you how to raise and teach children, and his opinion will be valuable. But if he starts explaining how to calculate salaries, then his words will have no weight.
Rational authority allows you to calmly accept criticism
With the irrational view, a person combines power and status. His right to be a leader is not discussed and is simply accepted as truth. Attempts to explain the choice do not lead to success. Often such authority is vested in government officials.
Psychologists do not have a common view on what form of influence is optimal. Each situation requires an individual approach. Therefore, if an individual wants recognition, then he should show flexibility in his reasoning.
Classification of the phenomenon from the point of view of psychology
The definition given to the phenomenon by the famous psychologist Erich Fromm presupposes the existence of rational and irrational authority. The first represents trust in the competence of another person, which he must actually confirm. The second type is based only on high social status, and trust is replaced by fear. The motto “The boss is always right, and if he’s wrong, then see point 1” clearly demonstrates the approach to management in the case of irrational authority.
We recommend: Enneagram: Personality Types
Many works have been devoted to the study of authority; there are quite a few sound theories that explain the mechanism of action of the phenomenon. However, until now experts have not agreed on how to correctly classify this phenomenon. From a psychological point of view, the most important types of authority are:
- Internal authority. Implies the existence of internal conviction in the correctness of decisions made, competence as a specialist. The phenomenon is characteristic of strong-willed people who often occupy a high position in society.
- Emotional authority implies inner maturity and calmness. People with this phenomenon are characterized by the ability to get along with others and build relationships with people according to the “master-follower” type. Very rarely, internal authority and emotional authority can be combined; people with such a unique phenomenon become charismatic leaders.
- Professional authority – characterizes the competence of a specialist.
- Public – the authority of the people, the state.
- Individual – characterizes an individual personality.
Psychologists pay special attention to false authority, which can take a wide variety of forms. The pseudo-authority of suppression is most interesting; manifesting itself in extreme forms, it can give rise to authoritarian thinking and a sense of impunity in the leader
Distance and detachment from others, which impart an aura of mystery and importance, can also create a sense of authority
How to gain authority
Affirmation - what is it, definition
Every person can become a recognized leader, but for this he will have to make a lot of effort. He must not only understand what authority is, but also strive to earn it.
When you join a new team, you need to carefully consider it and find an informal leader. You need to make a positive impression on him, and the same with the rest of your colleagues.
You should not take the place of someone who is already respected by the team. It is recommended to show the best personal qualities, demonstrate professionalism and tact, and carefully express your assessment of someone. You can be interested in the lives of other people, support them and look for common points of interest.
Communication in an informal setting plays a positive role, but at the same time you should not express a negative opinion about colleagues or superiors. Even if the meeting takes place outside of work, it can lead to problems.
You cannot try to please everyone, fawn and grovel - this is insincere and will only cause rejection. The pretense will be felt, and such a person will not receive much importance.
Discipline, self-confidence, professional qualities, life experience and other factors play a role in gaining influence. Therefore, it is impossible to say unambiguously what authority means and how to obtain it.
You can make a personal development plan. To do this, determine your qualities, how they help you achieve your goal, and what needs to be developed. Such reflection is useful for everyone - it helps to evaluate their own characteristics and characteristics.
Authoritative qualities
As mentioned above, authority is the assessment of a person by his environment or society. What are the arguments of an authoritative person? What should he have?
- Knowledge. People are respected for their knowledge and ability to understand a particular industry “from hair to toe.”
- Wisdom. A sage will be able to give important advice and look at the situation from the right angle.
- Responsiveness. The ability to come to the rescue, combined with the two points stated above, being there at the right time is the key to getting people to respect and reach out to you.
- Kindness. You can be smart and wise, but use these skills as if the people around you are insignificant worms. Will such a sage and clever man be respected?
- Volitional qualities. We have come to where we started. Working on yourself and achieving your goals is an example for others.
How to use influence in society
Leadership - what is it, definition
The ability to lead people and be persuasive is useful not only at work. This is necessary for parents, communication in any social group and in many areas of activity.
With a high level of influence, you will not have to become dependent on other people
Not everyone can tell who an authoritative person is. He cannot be called self-confident or arrogant, but there is something about him that attracts and inspires respect. Everyone decides for himself what definition to give to his personality.
If an individual wants to influence people, then he must start with his appearance. An upright posture, a smile and a lack of worry demonstrate his open attitude.
In order to gain recognition from other people, you will have to perform many significant actions. After achieving a goal, an individual receives recognition, attention and respect, this is pleasant and provides certain benefits.
People around you don’t always know who the authority is. This is a person who exudes a special energy, it makes you imbued with other people’s beliefs. Some world leaders were credited with possessing sacred knowledge that endowed them with magical charm.
If there is authority, an individual can always count on moral and material support from other people. This may mean that he will not have to work hard to receive any benefits; all he needs to do is ask.
Life is easier with a high level of influence
Over time, each person develops his own idea of authority, what it means and how to achieve it. Not everyone strives to obtain such an ability, but it can make life much easier.
In order to better understand a particular term, you need to turn to scientific sources. Authority is a definition that is considered within the framework of social psychology. It is in this industry that you can find ways to influence people.
Authority also has a definition, but it’s an everyday one. This is what they call a person who is respected in the family. This is not necessarily a mother or father, maybe a grandmother or grandfather.
Sometimes there may be a problem with how to correctly write authority or authority; the second option is correct. This personality quality allows you to achieve success not only at work, but also in your personal life.
Burden of Heroism
Heroism is inherent in each of us, but not that reckless cinematic heroism, which is with a bare heel on a saber, and the other - that with an open heart and a sober mind in the heat of complete uncertainty. It’s easy to be a hero, committing recklessness approved by society, but try to follow the call of your soul contrary to the expectations of your loved ones and even at the risk of losing their love and understanding. This is where real heroism lies!
It’s difficult, but deep down, every person is drawn to exactly this - to the free expression of one’s own personality, contrary to all foundations, prohibitions and well-known paths. We are all invariably drawn to places where on unknown paths there are traces of unseen animals.
It’s not for nothing that we all like books and films about heroic adventures. Each of us has a drive to reach the full potential of our personality, and it finds expression in our admiration for the heroism of others. A hero is someone who dares.
And we all want to follow his example.
The hero bets on himself, and not on whether society will accept him. He does not need the love of others and therefore can afford to have an independent opinion that is inconvenient for others. He can afford to be strong because he is not afraid of losing the cozy company of the weak. Such heroism costs him dearly, but the song of his own soul is more important to him.
Take, for example, independence of judgment. Valuable quality? Definitely! But what does it entail? What is the price of independent judgment? To express an independent opinion about life or any particular area of it is the risk of losing agreement with all those who cannot afford independent judgment. Having your own opinion is the first step to loneliness.
Determination? Leadership ability? Force? The most valuable qualities that, ultimately, always find recognition in society. But before this very “final score” is summed up, they all lead the individual through the abyss of loneliness and the cemetery of dead heroes into a space of complete uncertainty.
It's impossible to be a hero while remaining like everyone else... and this brings us to a rather wild question. Every personality is unique by definition, then why are there so many equally faceless people around? What price do we pay for our social well-being and the psychological comfort that life in a society of averagely similar people brings with it?
Living in a society on a well-trodden track is a guaranteed way to live long and tolerantly. The life of a hero is a way to live as long as necessary, but happily.
Which path do you choose? This is not about the long term or one heroic act of a lifetime, but about all those small choices that happen every minute in our lives. What do you choose over and over again: the risk of being yourself or calm peace in general facelessness? Whose life do you choose to live - yours or someone else's? Whose commandments do you follow—your own or someone else’s? Whose rules are you playing by? Which of the beaten paths are you following?
Everyone wants to be independent, strong and decisive. Moreover, heroism is not just a desire, it is an innate need of every person. A hero is not a rare chosen one of fate. We are all heroes, we are all chosen. Each of us has all the necessary abilities, attributes and enough strength to walk the path of a heroic strong personality. And only we choose who we want to be in this life. The only question is whether we are ready to pay the price that freedom will require.
