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Ideology: Psychological Similarities and Differences Across the Ideological Spectrum Reexamined
Nour S Kteily1, Mark J Brandt2
1Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA;
Annual Review of Psychology
|October 31, 2024
Summary
People across the political spectrum are more psychologically similar than distinct. However, differences in personality, values, and group priorities significantly shape their attitudes and behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Psychology of ideology
- Political psychology
- Social psychology
Background:
- A central debate in political psychology concerns the psychological similarities and differences between individuals identifying as left-wing and right-wing.
- Historically, a prevalent view posits significant psychological distinctions between these ideological groups across personality and cognitive traits.
- Recent scholarship challenges this view, suggesting greater psychological convergence between left-wing and right-wing individuals than previously assumed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively review and synthesize existing empirical evidence on the psychological profiles of left-wing and right-wing individuals.
- To examine similarities and differences across a broad range of psychological domains, including dispositions, information processing, and interpersonal behaviors.
- To provide a nuanced understanding of the extent to which ideological orientation is associated with psychological characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review and synthesis of empirical studies.
- Analysis of research examining personality traits, values, cognitive styles (e.g., cognitive rigidity), threat sensitivity, and authoritarianism.
- Examination of studies on information processing, including motivated reasoning and susceptibility to misinformation.
- Review of research on interpersonal perceptions and behaviors, such as empathy, prejudice, stereotyping, and violence.
Main Results:
- Individuals across the political spectrum exhibit substantial psychological similarities, challenging the notion of profound inherent differences.
- Despite overall similarities, notable differences emerge in specific personality facets, value systems, and the prioritization of particular groups and causes.
- These nuanced differences in priorities and values have significant downstream implications for attitudes and behaviors in real-world contexts.
Conclusions:
- The psychological landscape of left-wing and right-wing individuals is characterized by both considerable overlap and specific, meaningful divergences.
- Understanding these similarities and differences is crucial for a comprehensive grasp of ideological psychology and its societal impact.
- Future research should continue to explore the interplay between shared psychological foundations and ideologically-driven distinctions in group and cause prioritization.
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