Political Psychology

Immigration sparks fierce debates—but what does the research say? These seven studies uncover surprising findings about mental health, crime, social media, nationalism, and political violence.

A new study finds that TikTok-style “edits” portraying politicians as attractive or powerful can sway public perceptions, boosting attractiveness and favorability—especially for Donald Trump. These videos may signal a shift in how political influence is crafted and consumed.

Across multiple studies, researchers found Democrats express more negative social judgments toward Republicans. The driving factor appears to be a moral belief that Republicans harm disadvantaged people, such as racial minorities, fueling stronger partisan dislike on the political left.

New research provides causal evidence that perceived societal breakdown—known as anomie—can increase support for authoritarianism by eroding feelings of control and increasing uncertainty.

A new study provides one of the most comprehensive checks of 2020 U.S. vote accuracy to date, showing that audited ballots closely matched original counts and that claims of widespread miscounts or fraud are not supported by the evidence.

A new study suggests traits like narcissism and psychopathy played little role in the 2020 U.S. presidential election. Instead, political attitudes and moral values—such as authoritarianism and fairness—were more closely linked to whether people supported Biden, Trump, or a third-party...

A growing sense of being “left behind” by elites may push citizens toward right-wing populist beliefs, according to a new study investigating the psychological effects of social misrecognition.

A new cross-cultural study finds that people across 25 countries are more likely to support dominant, authoritarian leaders when facing intergroup conflict. The results suggest that humans may have evolved psychological instincts that favor forceful leadership during times of threat.

Researchers found that voters’ authoritarian tendencies influenced how they judged the psychopathic traits of 2016 presidential candidates. Those high in authoritarianism were more likely to view Trump favorably and Clinton as psychologically disordered—and vice versa.

Narcissism in political leaders may have roots in childhood. A recent study explores how Hitler, Putin, and Trump experienced similar emotional trauma and parenting styles that contributed to unhealthy narcissistic development and shaped their political personas.

New research shows that white Democrats are increasingly choosing Black candidates over white ones in hypothetical elections. The change reflects a broader shift in racial attitudes, especially among those concerned about discrimination and opposed to Donald Trump’s rhetoric.

A new study suggests that mothers who favor social hierarchies and obedience to authority use less perspective-taking language with their children—especially when discussing people from different ethnic backgrounds. Their children also show weaker ability to understand others’ thoughts and feelings.

Being left out by political allies or rivals makes people feel less accepted and more inclined to lash out at opponents, new research shows. The emotional toll of political exclusion could be a key driver of deepening polarization in the...

New research shows that partisan sheriffs in the United States, unlike local officials in some Global South countries, do not influence the prevalence of political violence, pointing to possible institutional differences across global democratic contexts.

The belief that only conservatives prefer authoritarian leaders is upended by new research showing ethnic minorities—regardless of political affiliation—are more supportive of strong leadership than White liberals. The study suggests generalized trust is a key psychological factor.