Political Psychology

A new study suggests partisan bumper stickers may influence how drivers respond to each other. Published in Frontiers in Political Science, the research finds people are more likely to react with hostility toward bad drivers who display opposing political views.

Speaking about migration can be stressful, but a study in Psychophysiology suggests that the direction of public opinion shapes how that stress is experienced. Political ideology influences whether people interpret shifting views as a challenge or a threat.

While voters in democracies are drawn to competent-looking leaders, authoritarian elites appear to value trustworthiness above all. A recent study found that dictators selected for office look more trustworthy than monarchs, suggesting a preference for faces that signal loyalty.

New research reveals that partisanship, specifically support for Donald Trump, splits gun owners on democratic values. While the group as a whole is no less democratic than non-owners, a pro-Trump subgroup holds significantly less supportive views on key issues.

Artificial intelligence chatbots are now a part of daily life, but these systems contain inherent biases from their training data. A new study investigates a pressing question: How might a chatbot's hidden political leanings influence a user's own opinions and...

People who defend the system and those who reject it may share a surprising trait: support for antidemocratic ideas. A new study finds that authoritarianism, distrust, and simplistic thinking predict rejection of core democratic values.

According to new research, American voters tend to follow their hearts more than their heads. The study found emotional preferences had a stronger effect on voting behavior than how closely a candidate’s views aligned with a voter’s own.

A 2025 survey highlights a deep divide in American political attitudes, with a substantial minority prioritizing strong leadership over democratic processes. Researchers found one-third of adults would trade democracy for a political leader who shares their values and interests.

The term "left-wing authoritarianism" may need re-examination, according to new research. A study developing a scale for leftist attitudes found they are better described as radical and anti-establishment, not necessarily authoritarian in nature.

A new study in PNAS Nexus suggests that political users on Reddit express morality differently depending on context. Left-leaning users consistently moralize their views, while right-leaning users appear to express moral judgments more selectively, depending on the audience.

A new study suggests that naming an expert source can slightly increase how accurate people find scientific claims. While liberals generally trust experts more, conservatives respond positively when claims come from named experts, especially in economics or science.

An extensive study of over 13,000 women across 144 countries explores the connection between politics and romance. The findings show clear patterns linking a woman's political orientation to her preferences for an ideal partner.

Research in Studies in Conflict & Terrorism finds that while anti-Israel sentiment may motivate legal protest, it is antisemitism that tends to predict support for violent or illegal political actions, offering insight into distinct psychological pathways to radical behavior.

A new study of Polish adults found a surprising link between left-wing authoritarianism and a greater acceptance of brutal war tactics. In contrast, people with a secure national identity were more likely to support warfare only within strict moral limits.

A 40-year study of U.S. government spending found that federal science programs received more funding when Republicans controlled the House and presidency.