Skip to content

Log in Sign up free

Loading…

Home
Subjects
Past papers
Key terms
Pricing

My courses

Select your courses

Loading…

Subjects

Biology
Business
Chemistry
Citizenship Studies
Classics
Combined Science
Computer Science
Design and Technology
English Language
English Literature
Film Studies
Food Preparation and Nutrition
Geography
History
Mathematics
Media Studies
Physical Education
Physics
Psychology
Religious Studies
Sociology
Statistics

Resources

Browse courses
Past papers
Key terms & definitions
Pricing

About

Sign up
Log in
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service

© 2026 GradeGen

Not affiliated with any exam board.

Home
Sociology
Key terms
Legal rational authority

GCSE Sociology · key term

Legal rational authority

Definition

Authority accepted because it rests on recognised laws and rules; it belongs to an official position rather than the individual holding it.

Used by AQA

How each exam board covers it

AQA GCSE Sociology · 8192

Paper 1, Paper 2

Legal rational authority rests on recognised laws and formal rules. Authority belongs to the office, not to the particular person holding it. For example, a police officer's recognised authority comes from their official role and its legal powers, rather than from inherited status or personal appeal.
Revise: Stratification, Mobility and Inequality Key Terms

AQA Sociology past papers

Related key terms

Achieved status
Affluence
Ageism
Aristocracy
Ascribed status

Get more free notes every week

Create a free account to keep every note you open and track your progress.

Create free account Log in

Legal rational authority — AQA GCSE Sociology Definition

Bureaucratic authority