Political Psychology

A recent study suggests that voters easily mistake AI-generated political content for reality. Participants actually rated fake debate responses as more genuine and on-topic than the exact answers provided by the real politicians.

Most Americans support democratic ideals, but millions hold views sympathetic to authoritarianism. A new nationally representative survey explores the public's appetite for suspending Congress and deploying the military to enforce federal policies.

Social media is often blamed for toxic political debates, but a new global study links digital aggression to offline issues. Researchers found that users in less democratic and economically unequal countries report experiencing significantly more online hostility.

A new analysis challenges the notion that political independents are merely undercover partisans or apathetic citizens. Researchers found that most unaligned voters overwhelmingly prefer moderate ideologies and highly value political flexibility over rigid party labels.

Living in a region with strict social norms is linked to distinct psychological traits. A new study found that culturally tight societies often show higher levels of right-wing authoritarianism, racial stereotyping, and a greater need for order.

A new study reveals that left-leaning Americans are having significantly fewer children, driving the overall US fertility decline. Meanwhile, conservatives are maintaining steady birth rates, a demographic trend that could gradually shift the nation’s political landscape rightward.

Aggressive communication from political leaders does more than just grab headlines. Recent experimental research shows that exposing voters to highly confrontational, blaming political speech actively threatens their core moral values and reduces their tolerance for democratic opposition.

People with antagonistic and selfish traits often express their hostility through rigid, authoritarian political beliefs. A new psychological study suggests that strict adherence to rules provides a socially acceptable way for these individuals to assert control over others.

New research shows that while college graduates increasingly identify as liberal, the actual leftward shift during college is much smaller than the public assumes. Individual traits and majors matter far more than the type of school attended.

The introduction of continuous video coverage in state legislatures does not increase political polarization or gridlock. A new study reveals that despite widespread concerns, bringing cameras into government chambers leaves politicians' voting behavior and lawmaking productivity largely unchanged.

Policymakers hope that forcing AI companies to label their generated text will help curb political misinformation. However, a new study reveals that humans are just as persuaded by policy arguments labeled "written by AI" as those written by humans.

Is a smile just a sign of happiness, or a strategic power move? According to new research, your answer might depend on your political party, with Republicans more likely to view smiles as tools for managing social hierarchies.

By measuring voter trust in candidate issue-handling and leadership strength, a forward-looking forecasting model successfully predicted the historically close outcome of the 2024 United States presidential election. The research provides actionable insights for shaping campaign strategy.

A new study testing the relative importance of ten major policy issues found that American voters place surprisingly high importance on mental health care, especially among liberals, higher-income earners, and those in poor health.

Voters often warp their memories of an election to align with the actual results. A new psychological study reveals how partisan biases shape our memories, leading people to subconsciously rewrite their past predictions to protect their political identities.