De invloed van militaire dienst op een aantal houdingen

Samenvatting

H. W. Tromp has stated that, "The main function of military service should not be sought in the strengthening of the defense-potential, but in the adaptability-effect to the system; because that is the direct effect of a few years of military service." Without necessarily agreeing with this statement, one recognizes the conservatism in the thinking of men at the higher levels of the military. Military leaders attempt to carry their anti-Communist viewpoint to the conscriptees. Several hypotheses are posed: those that have been in the military have a more negative attitude towards Communism; & a more positive national disposition; a more positive attitude towards the army; a more negative attitude towards their parents; have less political interest, & are less politically aggressive; are more authoritarian; & are more optimistic about the possibility of an outbreak of war, than those who have not been in the service. A representative sample of Dutch youth from 16 to 25 years old was questioned. The data of 534 M R's were used. The sample was divided into 3 groups: (1) men that still had to go into service, (2) those that had served, & (3) those that did not have to go into service because of exemption or disqualification. The analysis did not support any of the hypotheses. Attitude toward the military appeared more negative than positive. Attitude toward institutional aspects of the army (discipline) & superiors is generally more negative, except that in the category of younger recruits with lower intelligence & SE background there was a change toward a positive direction. As far as the attitude towards the army in a broader sense, the lower-ranked men had less ideological thinking & whatever changes occurred in attitudes were not maintained. Other research regarding attitudes toward the military is cited. 3 Tables. D. Ridgway.