Ideological bases of perception of the normative system and political cynicism in adults from urban sectors of Peru

The purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of conservative ideological expressions like right wing authoritarianism (RWA) and social domination orientation (SDO) on perceptions related to the normative and political system in Peru in an accidental sample of 201 Peruvians. The RWA, SDO, normative system perception, and political cynicism scales were administered. Based on variance analyses, Student's t tests, exploratory factor analyses, Pearson correlations, multiple linear regressions, and path analysis, descriptive results show that perceptions on the normative and political systems are mostly negative. In general, results reveal direct relationships between the authoritarianism and dominance indicators and a positive evaluation of the normative system and greater tolerance of corrupt practices in the political system and its institutions. The study rests on a definition of political cynicism as an expression of generalized mistrust towards the political system, which is enriched with 2 new conceptual dimensions relevant for understanding the phenomenon in Latin American societies such as the Peruvian: the possibility of change in the political system and political moral laxity.