Political Psychology

Despite widespread condemnation of the January 6th attack, many white Republicans remained loyal to Trump—especially those who perceived anti-white discrimination. A new study shows how racial status threat can protect political leaders from the consequences of norm violations.

Christians who believe God is benevolent, engaged, and angered by sin are more likely to support religious nationalism, according to a new study. This worldview was also associated with conspiracy mentality and xenophobic attitudes.

A sweeping study of over 84,000 people across 59 countries found that individuals who feel threatened by crime, poverty, or instability are more likely to support authoritarian governance—especially in Western nations and among politically right-leaning individuals.

New research published in Behavioral Sciences shows that certain narcissistic traits are linked to anti-immigrant attitudes through competitive worldviews and ideological beliefs, highlighting the role of personality in shaping how people view immigrants and social hierarchies.

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.