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The personalities of Danish MPs: Trait- and aspect-level differences
Asbjørn Sonne Nørgaard1, Robert Klemmensen1
1University of Southern Denmark.
Journal of Personality
|April 8, 2018
Summary
Danish parliamentarians exhibit distinct personality traits, being more extraverted, conscientious, and open than voters. Analyzing personality at the aspect level offers deeper insights into political elite differences.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Political Science
Background:
- Understanding the personality traits of political elites is crucial for analyzing elite-voter congruence and elite differentiation.
- Previous studies have primarily focused on the broad Big Five personality traits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the personality traits of Danish parliamentarians (MPs) at both the Big Five and aspect levels.
- To examine elite-voter congruence and elite differentiation in personality.
Main Methods:
- A representative survey of Danish MPs (N=81) and voters (N=3,612) was conducted.
- The NEO-PI-R short version and NEO-BFAS were used to assess personality differences.
Main Results:
- MPs were more extraverted, conscientious, and open than voters.
- Liberal MPs were more agreeable and compassionate than conservative MPs.
- Center party MPs showed higher power aspirations and were more assertive and enthusiastic.
Conclusions:
- Incorporating aspect-level personality analysis provides nuanced insights beyond the Big Five.
- This approach helps explain previously observed null findings and refines the understanding of political elite personalities.
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