Authoritarianism Archives

Summary: Have you ever wondered why politics feels so extreme lately? Psychologists have been studying how our minds handle political beliefs and authority. Recent studies show that extreme political views exist on both the left and the right. For example, researchers found a new type of identity politics on the right focused on grievances. On the left, extreme views are often more about being anti-establishment than strictly about control.

Interestingly, believing political lies isn't always about being tricked. Studies across eight countries show that sometimes people reject the truth just to show dominance or independence from the crowd. Other research shows that feeling ignored by society can push people toward radical movements, and even environmental activism has a surprising twist—long-term involvement might actually increase traits like narcissism over time. Overall, our early life experiences with trust, our feelings of being left out, and our hidden desires for strong leadership all play a big role in shaping our political world.

Source: PsyPost URL: psypost.org/exclusive/social/political/authoritarianism/ (opens in new tab)