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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Continuous Theta Burst Stimulation of the Posterior Medial Frontal Cortex to Experimentally Reduce Ideological Threat Responses

Continuous Theta Burst Stimulation of the Posterior Medial Frontal Cortex to Experimentally Reduce Ideological Threat Responses

Published on: September 28, 2018

A psychodynamic perspective on elections.

Norman A Clemens¹

¹Case Western Reserve University, USA.

Journal of Psychiatric Practice

|November 26, 2010

Summary

This study examines how individual voters resolve internal and external conflicts during elections, drawing parallels to the 2010 midterms. Psychodynamic concepts explain both voter decisions and collective electoral processes, highlighting democracy's vulnerabilities.

Area of Science:

Political Psychology
Social Psychology
Democracy Studies

Background:

Elections are a cornerstone of democratic governance, reflecting collective voter decisions.
Understanding the individual voter's decision-making process is crucial for analyzing electoral outcomes.
The 2010 midterm elections provide a relevant case study for examining electoral dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore how individual voters navigate conflicting internal and external forces to cast a vote.
To illustrate the parallels between individual psychological processes and the collective electoral campaign process.
To examine the applicability of psychodynamic concepts to both individual voters and the electoral system.

Main Methods:

Analysis of psychodynamic concepts including conflict, compromise, affects, aggression, unconscious forces, defense mechanisms, superego, and ego functions.

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The Joint Effect of Social Comparison and Social Distance on Evaluation of Intertemporal Choice Outcomes in Event-related Potential Studies

The Joint Effect of Social Comparison and Social Distance on Evaluation of Intertemporal Choice Outcomes in Event-related Potential Studies

Published on: August 25, 2023

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Last Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Continuous Theta Burst Stimulation of the Posterior Medial Frontal Cortex to Experimentally Reduce Ideological Threat Responses

Continuous Theta Burst Stimulation of the Posterior Medial Frontal Cortex to Experimentally Reduce Ideological Threat Responses

Published on: September 28, 2018

The Joint Effect of Social Comparison and Social Distance on Evaluation of Intertemporal Choice Outcomes in Event-related Potential Studies

The Joint Effect of Social Comparison and Social Distance on Evaluation of Intertemporal Choice Outcomes in Event-related Potential Studies

Published on: August 25, 2023

Application of these concepts to the individual voter's decision-making process.

Illustration using the 2010 midterm elections as a case study.

Main Results:

The study identifies significant parallels between how individual voters resolve internal conflicts and how electoral campaigns unfold.
Psychodynamic principles are found to be relevant in understanding both individual voting behavior and the broader electoral process.
The 2010 midterm elections exemplify these psychodynamic dynamics in action.

Conclusions:

Democracies are historically vulnerable, and the electoral process can be significantly impacted by external factors.
The infusion of anonymous corporate funding into campaigns poses a threat to the balance of democratic processes.
A deeper understanding of voter psychology is essential for safeguarding democratic integrity.