Developing a scale to measure students’ attitudes towards fanaticism

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to develop a scale to evaluate students’ attitudes towardsfanaticism. In order to do this, the researcher composed a questionnaire of 64 items. Theformat of the questionnaire corresponded to the five-point Likert Scale: 1 strongly agree; 2agree; 3 slightly agree; 4 strongly disagree; and 5 disagree. The research sample consisted of23 undergraduate students from the University of Leicester. The research tool was an onlinequestionnaire distributed through the.EPR system. Participants completed the questionnaire inreturn for course credit. Results of statistical analysis, obtained through the use of StatisticalPackage for the Social Sciences (SPSS), were as follows. The internal reliability (Cronbach’sAlpha) of the final structure of the scale, which consisted of 20 items, was calculated to beα=.834. Statistical analysis (principal components analysis, orthogonal approach, Varimaxmethod) resulted in the following three factors: factor 1,“Fanaticism and social security” (8items highly loaded on this factor); factor 2, “Religious fanaticism” (9 items highly loaded onthis factor); factor 3, “Fanaticism and absolute views” (3 items highly loaded on this factor).These three factors explained 52.516% of the variance.Fanaticism is an internal feeling which causes an individual to believe that his/heropinions and ideas are permanently on the right side of truth. Fanatics simply do not acceptthe need for debate and view people with different opinions to their own as presenting a threatto their values and beliefs. Fanatical beliefs can result in discrimination and sometimesaggressive behaviour towards people who hold alternative opinions and beliefs.Fanaticism is a serious social and psychological issue which could present a significant risk to the community: “Fanatical beliefs may possibly lead to a nuclear holocaust in the not-too-distant future” (Ellis, 1986). Investigating intolerance and fanaticism from a psychological and social standpoint using scientific research could help to identify some ofthe causal factors related to these phenomena. Ultimately, this research could help to achieverecognition accuracy ‘More effective recognition and a clearer understanding of fanaticism,thereby making it easier to deal with and, potentially, reducing its impact on society. Fanaticism is one of the most prevalent social and psychological phenomena in theworld today. There has been no community that has not been affected by some form offanaticism. Although the phenomenon of fanaticism is linked to various political and religiousideas and beliefs, it can manifest in many different areas of human activity. Marimaa (2011)pointed out that fanaticism is a universal phenomenon which can appear in any sphere ofhuman activity.A fanatic is someone who holds certain views or ideas that he or she believes to beabsolutely true; doubts are never entertained. Such a person tends to view those with differentviews as evil or even, in some way, “inhuman” (Peter, 2011). Furthermore, a fanatic willdefend these particular ideas vigorously, sometimes going so far as to attack those who do notbelieve them to be valid. A fanatic holds rigidly to his point of view and is intolerant of thosewho disagree with him. The Macmillan Dictionary describes a fanatic as “someone who hasvery strong religious or political beliefs that often make them behave in an unreasonableway”.Fanaticism from the psychological perspective is a personality disorder not greatlydifferent from other phobias and neurotic conditions. A fanatic is a person who could pose amajor threat to the fabric of society. For this reason it has become an important topic in manyareas of psychological and social studies. A fanatic is more than just a narrow-minded anddogmatic person. S/he tries zealously and by all means to impose her/his convictions onothers.” (Marimaa, 2011). However, some researchers believe that fanaticism is not always anegative phenomenon. Marimaa (2011) pointed out that fanaticism could be positive ornegative depending on the behaviour of an individual fanatic and the reasons that leadsomeone to become fanaticized over a particular issue.Fanaticism is a learned behaviour, not an instinctive behaviour. Humans acquire thisbehaviour through the social environment and the ideas and beliefs existing in the community.Religious and political beliefs are those which can lead to the most dangerous forms offanaticism. These were, and still are, the main causes of many bloody conflicts.Based on the above analysis, studying fanaticism from a scientific standpoint and usingscientific research may help to clarify the mechanics of this rather vague phenomenon. Moreeffective approaches to dealing with fanaticism could be a result of this method of study. Itcould thus contribute to reducing the impact of this phenomenon on both the individual andsociety. of Journal مجلة جامعة کرمیان 497 acadj@garmian.edu.krd Conference Paper (July, 2017)The importance of this research lies in trying to build a tool capable of measuring oneof the most dangerous phenomena that threaten the social fabric and cause many mental andbehavioural disorders. This serious problem which poses a threat to the mental health ofaffected individuals. Fanaticism also has the potential to produce crises throughout society,whether affecting the political, social or psychological spheres. A scientific approach tofanaticism is likely to provide new and valuable insights into the phenomenon.