The works of G. D. Wilson and F. N. Kerlinger have suggested different theories to explain liberalism and conservatism. Wilson presents a bipolar dynamic theory of conservatism based on a general conservative syndrome factor. Kerlinger presents a duality view of liberalism and conservatism based on the critical referent theory of attitudes. A study conducted using questionnaires to assess predisposition to liberal and conservative attitudes surveyed 160 undergraduates at a small state-supported college in the Pacific Northwest. Each respondent completed the Liberalism-Conservatism Social Concept Scale developed for the study. A principal components analysis was performed and a total of 12 components were retained: (1) human rights, (2) social liberalism, (3) pro-nuclear freeze, (4) science, (5) religious/national issues, (6) government involvement, (7) rules and punishment, (8) economy, (9) marriage and family, (10) capitalistic leadership, (11) religious/social issues, and (12) traditional institutions. The intercorrelations of the 12 components were subjected to a second-order component analysis. One component reflected liberal attitudes and the remaining two second-order components reflected conservative attitudes. The low intercorrelations between the second-order factors are supportive of Kerlinger's duality views and the independence of liberal and conservative attitudes. The one exception to this involved the pro-nuclear freeze component. (AS)