Analysis of Trump Supporters Has Identified 5 Key Traits
The lightning-fast ascent and political invincibility of Donald Trump has left many experts baffled and wondering, “How did we get here?” Any accurate and sufficient answer to that question must not only focus on Trump himself, but also on his uniquely loyal supporters. Given their extreme devotion and unwavering admiration for their highly unpredictable and often inflammatory leader, some have turned to the field of psychology for scientific explanations based on precise quantitative data and established theoretical frameworks.
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In a recent review paper published in the Journal of Social and Political Psychology, Psychologist and UC Santa Cruz professor Thomas Pettigrew argues that five major psychological phenomena can help explain this exceptional political event.
1. Authoritarian Personality Syndrome
The syndrome is often triggered by fear, making it easy for leaders who exaggerate threat or fear monger to gain their allegiance.
Although authoritarian personality is found among liberals, it is more common among the right-wing around the world. President Trump’s speeches, which are laced with absolutist terms like “losers” and “complete disasters,” are naturally appealing to those with the syndrome.
(. . .) a 2016 Politico survey found that high authoritarians greatly favored then-candidate Trump, which led to a correct prediction that he would win the election, despite the polls saying otherwise.
2. Social dominance orientation
Social dominance orientation (SDO)—which is distinct but related to authoritarian personality syndrome—refers to people who have a preference for the societal hierarchy of groups, specifically with a structure in which the high-status groups have dominance over the low-status ones. Those with SDO are typically dominant, tough-minded, and driven by self-interest.
In Trump’s speeches, he appeals to those with SDO by repeatedly making a clear distinction between groups that have a generally higher status in society (White), and those groups that are typically thought of as belonging to a lower status (immigrants and minorities).
3. Prejudice
It would be grossly unfair and inaccurate to say that every one of Trump’s supporters have prejudice against ethnic and religious minorities, but it would be equally inaccurate to say that many do not.
(...) a new study has shown that support for Trump is correlated with a standard scale of modern racism.
4. Intergroup contact
Intergroup contact refers to contact with members of groups that are outside one’s own, which has been experimentally shown to reduce prejudice. As such, it’s important to note that there is growing evidence that Trump’s white supporters have experienced significantly less contact with minorities than other Americans.
5. Relative deprivation
Relative deprivation refers to the experience of being deprived of something to which one believes they are entitled. It is the discontent felt when one compares their position in life to others who they feel are equal or inferior but have unfairly had more success than them.
(. . .)
This kind of deprivation is specifically referred to as “relative,” as opposed to “absolute,” because the feeling is often based on a skewed perception of what one is entitled to. For example, an analysis conducted by FiveThirtyEight estimated that the median annual income of Trump supporters was $72,000.
If such data is accurate, the portrayal of most Trump supporters as “working class” citizens rebelling against Republican elites may be more myth than fact.
Comments by many of the Trump supporters found here on Debate Politics do seem to support the characterizations found by psychologists.
Gotta love this pop psychology that's almost a year old.
Gotta love this pop psychology that's almost a year old.
1 : one whose personality is characterized by introversion; especially : a reserved or shy person who enjoys spending time alone.
Seriously? You believe that Trumpkins have become more rational since last year? :lamo:
This is not to say it doesn't apply to some or even most Trump supporters. However it is also not able to be proven that it does also.
Comments by many of the Trump supporters found here on Debate Politics do seem to support the characterizations found by psychologists.
Gotta love this pop psychology that's almost a year old.
Comments by many of the Trump supporters found here on Debate Politics do seem to support the characterizations found by psychologists.
Had to go back and read the title after looking at that analysis. I thought they had messed up and were reporting on liberals.
Seems like a spin-off of Dr. Lyle Rossiter's book:
Only Dr. Rossiter goes into great detail explaining how liberals are politically mad.
It's a good read.
Seems like a spin-off of Dr. Lyle Rossiter's book:
Only Dr. Rossiter goes into great detail explaining how liberals are politically mad.
It's a good read.
Seems like a spin-off of Dr. Lyle Rossiter's book:
Only Dr. Rossiter goes into great detail explaining how liberals are politically mad.
It's a good read.
An excellent post revealing and explaining much about the more extreme Trumkins and why they occupy the delusional reality so many of them seem to willfully inhabit. Thank you for it.
Let's see how I measure up to this guys theories.
Authoritarian Personality Syndrome: I'm an introvert.
Merriam-Webster ~ Introvert
Sure doesn't sound like someone who is authoritarian to me.
Social dominance orientation: I consider everyone equal. Doesn't matter to me if they're rich and because of that have more power than me. I will still treat them just like I would joe blow down the street. I bow before no one, and I don't expect anyone to bow before me. Doesn't matter to me what their class is. What their religion is. What race they are. Poor or rich. Have power or lacks power. Everyone is the same.
Prejudice: Yes, it would be grossly inaccurate to say such. Its also grossly inaccurate to say "many" without evidence.
Intergroup contact: I've lived from one coast of the US to another and back again. Have had lots of different experiences across all types of cultures and groups.
Relative deprivation: The only things that I feel entitled to are my Rights. Everyone has inalienable Rights. When it comes to anything else...no feeling of entitlement what so ever.
All in all, this "analysis" does not apply to me. This is not to say it doesn't apply to some or even most Trump supporters. However it is also not able to be proven that it does also.
That's the great thing about published peer reviewed journals, all the data and methodology is available so anyone can refute it. Until such time, the work will be considered valid, and will be cited in other papers.
That's the great thing about published peer reviewed journals, all the data and methodology is available so anyone can refute it. Until such time, the work will be considered valid, and will be cited in other papers.
That's the great thing about published peer reviewed journals, all the data and methodology is available so anyone can refute it. Until such time, the work will be considered valid, and will be cited in other papers.
Gotta love this pop psychology that's almost a year old.
???
How do you get that question out of my post?
How? Because you wrote: "Gotta love this pop psychology that's almost a year old." A comment which indicates to the rational that you believe statements made by psychologists "almost a year" in the past is no longer relevant owing to changes found among Trumpies means of thought/belief.
Comments by many of the Trump supporters found here on Debate Politics do seem to support the characterizations found by psychologists.
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