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What are the psychological characteristics of people holding far-right beliefs?

SNOWFLAKE

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What are the psychological characteristics of people holding far-right beliefs?​


  • People with far right beliefs are characterized by a simplified mindset and tendency to search for order and structure.
  • They have a strong desire for group-based dominance and hierarchy, and often see social groups arranged along a superiority-inferiority dimension.
  • They perceive the wider authorities as illegitimate.
(no kidding)

https://www.sv.uio.no/c-rex/english...tics-of-people-holding-far-right-beliefs.html

Snippets:

Individuals who endorse far right ideology often have an increased desire for obedience to authority, order, purity, familiarity, structure, and a rigid worldview mentality. Particularly, they tend to adhere to a worldview that is based on authoritarianism and hierarchy between social groups. This is further reflected in their psychological profile, which is more reflective of the desire for group-based dominance and subjugation (including women’s subordination), traditionalism, and social inequality. The tendency to dominate and subjugate disadvantaged and minority groups is particularly expressed in anti-immigrant and xenophobic stances, strong preference for an ethnically, culturally and/or racially homogeneous population, and prejudice against minorities.

(SOUNDS ABOUT RIGHT)

Another key feature of far right individuals is the rigidity of their mindset—a cognitive style reflected in increased closed-mindedness, simplistic style of thinking, and black-and-white perceptions of society.

Moreover, a study using a sample of white Americans with Republican affiliation[ showed that perceived psychological distress predicted stronger willingness to violently persecute political out-groups. Effects on these extremist tendencies were largely mediated by people’s increased closeness with their political leader. In other words, the more psychological distress people experience, the more they identified with their political leader, which in turn made them more willing to use violence against those identified as threats by this leader.

(EXPLAINS TRUMPISM)

In sum, holding far right beliefs increases people’s social identity and personal importance because such beliefs satisfy a need to belong to groups of like-minded people.

(This one I tend to believe is not necessarily an exclusive far right phenomenon, we ALL tend to gravitate towards groups of "like-minded people.") Don't we?
 
Can't wait to see the responses from the far right.
I'm sure in their mind these traits perfectly describe everyone on the left- not even the far left, everyone left.
 
Can't wait to see the responses from the far right.
I'm sure in their mind these traits perfectly describe everyone on the left- not even the far left, everyone left.
Of course, to them "you too" is a good diversionary tactic.
So will be "some leftist study from some leftist Oslo university, who gives a shit?"
Oh and for good measure "what about Hunter Biden?"
 

What are the psychological characteristics of people holding far-right beliefs?​



(no kidding)

https://www.sv.uio.no/c-rex/english...tics-of-people-holding-far-right-beliefs.html

Snippets:



(SOUNDS ABOUT RIGHT)



(EXPLAINS TRUMPISM)



(This one I tend to believe is not necessarily an exclusive far right phenomenon, we ALL tend to gravitate towards groups of "like-minded people.") Don't we?
No big surprises there.

Insecure people with mental issues who cannot imagine a world of equality. They fear being unable to measure up in a social setting of equal footing.

Basically, the far right could benefit greatly from mental counseling.
 
This assumes a psyche.
 
Related to many of the observations made here but another aspect that is nearly universal among the far right is a belief in some kind of unified historical narrative. For example, basically all fascists believe in some kind of cyclical view of history. The "strong men create good times > good times create weak men > weak men create bad time > bad times create strong men" shit for example. Another common one is viewing Western Civilization as this sort of ongoing connected struggle starting with the Greek philosophers and directly connecting with us today. Sometimes the religious types will describe history as a battle between Good and Evil; very common among Qanon to view it this way.

There is this need to narrativize history and ascribe undo importance to events. A lot of Qanon members believe they aren't just battling for the presidency or political policy, there is an cosmic (almost mystical) importance to their struggle. They are fighting to save all of Western Civilization. They are fighting to save the US from literal Satanic influence. Etc. The need to believe everything is happening for a purpose and that reality is more like the Chronicles of Narnia.
 
Related to many of the observations made here but another aspect that is nearly universal among the far right is a belief in some kind of unified historical narrative. For example, basically all fascists believe in some kind of cyclical view of history. The "strong men create good times > good times create weak men > weak men create bad time > bad times create strong men" shit for example. Another common one is viewing Western Civilization as this sort of ongoing connected struggle starting with the Greek philosophers and directly connecting with us today. Sometimes the religious types will describe history as a battle between Good and Evil; very common among Qanon to view it this way.

There is this need to narrativize history and ascribe undo importance to events. A lot of Qanon members believe they aren't just battling for the presidency or political policy, there is an cosmic (almost mystical) importance to their struggle. They are fighting to save all of Western Civilization. They are fighting to save the US from literal Satanic influence. Etc. The need to believe everything is happening for a purpose and that reality is more like the Chronicles of Narnia.
As per my comment #6, your analysis, while intuitive and sagacious, may ALSO be over THEIR heads ;)
 
Another pretty universal one is believing things are inherently the way they are. Men and women aren't just different. They are different on a cosmic, spiritual level. Men have been divinely given certain roles that they must conform to, as have women. It isn't up for debate. Either you have the soul of a man or the soul of a women and nothing short of heavenly intervention could change your role in society. There is a way things a supposed to be and an order the world is supposed to conform to. Anything that deviates from how things must be is degeneracy. A tumor. An illness that afflicts the universal order.
 
Sounds exactly like Qanon.

Overly simplified view of a complex, dynamic world. They seek to explain it with conspiracy theories that generally revolve around some powerful, malevolent force controlling everything. That is where you get the Deep State, Democratic Pedophile Satan Worshippers, and the old favorite "The Jews".
 
Related to many of the observations made here but another aspect that is nearly universal among the far right is a belief in some kind of unified historical narrative. For example, basically all fascists believe in some kind of cyclical view of history. The "strong men create good times > good times create weak men > weak men create bad time > bad times create strong men" shit for example. Another common one is viewing Western Civilization as this sort of ongoing connected struggle starting with the Greek philosophers and directly connecting with us today. Sometimes the religious types will describe history as a battle between Good and Evil; very common among Qanon to view it this way.

There is this need to narrativize history and ascribe undo importance to events. A lot of Qanon members believe they aren't just battling for the presidency or political policy, there is an cosmic (almost mystical) importance to their struggle. They are fighting to save all of Western Civilization. They are fighting to save the US from literal Satanic influence. Etc. The need to believe everything is happening for a purpose and that reality is more like the Chronicles of Narnia.
The key element is that its all wrapped around their personal narrative. From this POV, history and the world literally revolves around them.

That need to insert personal narrative is why they tend to imagine people are doing what they are doing as well.
 
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Far left people can be that way too. There are just far less of them in this society, and the right-wing media mill would have you believe that people like Obama and Biden are among them.

Think of Communists and Libertarians. Two sides of the same rigid ideological coin. Its just that Libertarians have more traction in this society.
 
Sounds exactly like Qanon.

Overly simplified view of a complex, dynamic world. They seek to explain it with conspiracy theories that generally revolve around some powerful, malevolent force controlling everything. That is where you get the Deep State, Democratic Pedophile Satan Worshippers, and the old favorite "The Jews".
Don't call them "The Jews", do what Righties do, disguise your remarks by calling them "Globalists" so you can claim, like Righties do, that you aren't talking about "The Jews." ;)
 
Id say the general and most common foundation for extremism is ignorance, period . . .right left center other doesn't matter

after that extremism on the right is probably more mixed with bigotry, racism and insecurity complexes
 
Far right or far left you're still talking about extremists with neurotic viewpoints.
I think you are onto something here with the term neurotic. One common characteristic is the desire to control (what are perceived as) loose ends and problems in society that becomes linked to the person's personal sense of happiness and well being.

Most people are able to recognize when something is not under their control and try to pivot or reassess priorities.
 
It's indicative in many grown southern men, even in their 40s and 50s, still calling their fathers "daddy". This is something I've seen having relatives in the south. There is an issue there, that predisposes them to be drawn to a cult/family-like atmosphere with an older male leader.
I know there has been rural unrest in places like Michigan and some other "northern" states, but I don't think that is the same issue. That may be more concerning, and less revealing, because it may lack that southern "daddy" revering element. Extremists in both, though, seem to be somewhat more driven by hate, not just disagreement.
 
It's indicative in many grown southern men, even in their 40s and 50s, still calling their fathers "daddy". This is something I've seen having relatives in the south. There is an issue there, that predisposes them to be drawn to a cult/family-like atmosphere with an older male leader.
I know there has been rural unrest in places like Michigan and some other "northern" states, but I don't think that is the same issue. That may be more concerning, and less revealing, because it may lack that southern "daddy" revering element. Extremists in both, though, seem to be somewhat more driven by hate, not just disagreement.
thats creepy
 

What are the psychological characteristics of people holding far-right beliefs?​

II seems to me that the difficult part of understanding groups, any group, is not so much the outward characteristics but what the article calls the preceived psychological distress that a group is dealing with.

"Moreover, a study using a sample of white Americans with Republican affiliation showed that perceived psychological distress predicted stronger willingness to violently persecute political out-groups."

What psychological distress are 6 Supreme Court justices suffering from that they would decide that it is OK for states to deny women the right to make private reproductive decisions? What psychological distress causes Congressmen and women to deny universal health insurance, decent minimum wage, paid sick and maternity leave to low wage workers. What psychological distress causes the far right to believe in irrational conspiracies, support hate groups, invade the Capitol, admire people like MTG. It's difficult to work together when it's impossible to figure out the preceived psychological distress of those one should be working with not against.






 
They don’t conform to propaganda and brainwashing.
 
The far right has its faults as does the far left.
Anybody that believes that socialism is a workable form of government is severely deluded.
Never has worked, never will work.
 
The far right has its faults as does the far left.
Anybody that believes that socialism is a workable form of government is severely deluded.
Never has worked, never will work.
Works just fine in most of the world. I think you confused socialism with communism. And missed another opportunity on here to rail against "commies."
 
Works just fine in most of the world. I think you confused socialism with communism. And missed another opportunity on here to rail against "commies."

Socialism or communism only works with a boost from capitalism.
See China for a good example.
 
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