Authoritarianism

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.

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.

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.

Do muscles make a man a better leader? That depends on your politics. A new study finds conservatives are drawn to strong men in leadership roles, while left-wing authoritarians are more likely to shy away from physical dominance.

A massive global study finds that people living in democratic nations are less likely to score high on the “dark triad” of Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy—and more likely to be empathetic and satisfied with life.

Contrary to popular belief, conspiracy theories may not drive democratic decline—rather, those who reject democracy seem more prone to conspiratorial thinking.

Neuroscientists have uncovered distinct brain structure patterns linked to authoritarian beliefs on both sides of the political spectrum.

A new study challenges the idea that authoritarian personality traits predict harsh punishment preferences, revealing a more complex picture of how people form sentencing opinions.

Individuals with strong right-wing authoritarian beliefs are more likely to perceive minoritized groups as a threat. This relationship was weaker in countries with higher religiosity or social marginalization, highlighting the influence of sociocultural context on authoritarian attitudes.

New research shows TikTok users encounter less content critical of China and more content aligned with pro-CCP narratives compared to other platforms. Heavy TikTok users also report more favorable views of China’s human rights record.

Teens with lower intelligence and emotional abilities are more likely to support authoritarian beliefs, whether left- or right-wing, suggesting shared psychological traits underpin rigid, authority-driven ideologies across the political spectrum.

Strong identity fusion with Donald Trump leads his supporters to view Democrats as existential threats, increasing support for authoritarian actions. But a strong national identity with "America" reduces these tendencies, highlighting a potential path to unity amidst political division.

A new study sheds light on the relationship between anxiety and support for right-wing populist parties. The findings highlight that anxiety plays a significant role in shaping contradictory attitudes, driving both authoritarian submission and anti-elitism in different contexts.

A recent study found right-wing authoritarianism and social dominance orientation have significant genetic underpinnings. The findings highlight the genetic influence on ideological attitudes.