Political Psychology TWC FA25-4783

(Quiz1) What is the second to the top need in Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs?

a. Self-Esteem

b. Self-Actualization

c. Physiological

d. Love and Belonging

a. Self-Esteem

(Quiz1) What is the name of the data analytics company that is credited with much of DonaldTrump's 2016 election success?

a. Columbia Analytics

b. Cambridge Analytics

c. Columbia Analytica

d. Cambridge Analytica

d. Cambridge Analytica

(Quiz1) What is the term for when an individual votes for a person of one party for one office and a different party for another?

a. Down ballot voting

b. Split ticket voting

c. Caucusing

d. None of the above

b. Split ticket voting

(Quiz1) Minorities accounted for what percentage of "non-voters" in the 2016 election?

a. 30%

b. 40%

c. 50%

d. 60%

50%

(Quiz1) What percentage of voters identify as independent?

25%

(Quiz1) According to studies, do men or women tend to be more agreeable?

Women

(Quiz1) In the 2020 election, white voters accounted for what percentage of Joe Biden's overall vote (within 2%)?

63%

(Quiz1) Donald Trump made the greatest progress with what age group from 2020 to the 2024 election?

18-29

(Quiz1) Which candidate received a higher percentage of the "religious vote" during the 2016 election?

Hillary Clinton

(Quiz1) What is the first name of Maslow (Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs)?

Abraham

What are the three archetypes that divide Americans?

(reading) https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/29/politics/political-archetypes-high-attention-voters

1. High attention group: 32% of Americans - frequently seek out the latest news and more

2. Middle group: 31% of Americans - follow major developments, don't seek them out

3. Lower attention group: 25% pay attention only when necessary, + 12% who tune out altogether

What are the tiers in Maslow's hierarchy in order from the bottom up?

Physiological needs->Safety needs-> Love&Belonging->Self esteem-> Self Actualization

What are the data protection privacy laws in the EU (mentioned by Chara)

1.Right to be informed

2.Responsibility to inform yourself about what you're signing up for

Why are incumbents at an advantage in congressional races?

-Voters know what they're getting from re-electees and fear the unknown from new candidates

-Incumbents have more funding, more name recognition, etc.

Roughly what percent of Gen-Z overall disapproves of Trump's performance?

(Reading: Poll: Gen Z's gender divide reaches beyond politics and into its views on marriage, children, and success)

-64% disapprove of Trump's performance

-36% approve

What did men and women agree were the top 3 measures of success?

(Reading: Poll: Gen Z's gender divide reaches beyond politics and into its views on marriage, children, and success)

-fulfilling career

-money

-financial independence

What did Gen-Z men who voted from Trump say was the most important thing in their personal definition of success?

(Reading: Poll: Gen-Z's gender divide reaches beyond politics and into its views on marriage, children, and success)

Having children

How did Gen Z women rank having kids as being important in their definition of success compared to how men ranked it?

(Reading: Poll: Gen-Z's gender divide reaches beyond politics and into its views on marriage, children, and success)

As the 2nd LEAST important thing vs the most important

In February 2021, Pew Research Center asked 2,596 U.S. adults the following open-ended question: "What about your life do you currently find meaningful, fulfilling or satisfying? What keeps you going and why?" Researchers then evaluated the answers and grouped them into the most commonly mentioned categories.

Republicans and Democrats largely agree that family, friends, and careers give them meaning in life - but differ on other factors, including _______?

Faith & health

True or False: Republicans are much more likely than Democrats to cite religion as a source of meaning in their life.

True

Are republicans or democrats more likely to bring up freedom and independence as something that gives their life meaning?

Republicans

Are democrats or republicans more likely to cite physical and mental health as part of what gives them meaning in life and mention the COVID-19 pandemic more frequently?

Democrats

Are republicans or democrats more likely to find meaning in hobbies and recreation, nature and the outdoors, and pets?

Democrats

Conservative Republicans are particularly likely to mention their country or where they live as a source of meaning (T or F)

T

Though few mention government leaders when discussing the meaning of life, Americans are more likely to do so than people in other countries (T or F)

T

Do liberals or conservatives report more meaning in life at all reporting periods (global, daily, and momentary)?

Conservatives

In three of the four studies that included multiple well-being measures, the relationship between political orientation and ______________ was stronger than the relationship between political orientation and satisfaction with life or other well-being measures.

meaning in life

Give the percentage for each of the five groups of people we identify/target in any election (Hard R's, soft R's, etc.)

Hard R's: 20%

Soft R's: 20%

Independent: 25%

Soft D's: 20%

Hard D's: 15%

(Quiz2) According to AP and AARP, voters 50 and older made up what percentage of the voting electorate?

a. 47%

b. 52%

c. 57%

d. 62%

52%

(Quiz2)In theory, which region of the country would you be most likely to find those with"precarious manhood"?

a. Northern Michigan

b. Eastern Oregon

c. Southern Louisiana

d. Western Utah

c. Southern Louisiana

(Quiz2)Another term for neuroticism is:

a. Emotional Instability

b. Emotional Stability

c. Social Dominance

d. Cognitive Openness

a. Emotional Instability

(Quiz2)What generation of voters most heavily identify as independents?

a. Gen X

b. Boomer

c. Silent

d. Gen Z

d. Gen Z

(Quiz2)Openness, as one of the Big Five personality traits, is most closely linked to:

a. Sociability and Assertiveness

b. Orderliness and Dependability

c. Intellect and Imagination

d. Anxiety and Mood Swings

c. Intellect and Imagination

(Quiz2)According to Gonyea (2024), what is one key reason for older adults' higher voter turnout compared to younger voters?

a. They experience stronger economic motivations

b. They are more geographically mobile

c. They have more established voting habits

d. They face fewer policy restrictions

c. They have more established voting habits

(Quiz2)Are individuals with high levels of extraversion more likely to be younger or older?

Younger

(Quiz2)Community endorsement and discussion of candidates is important for what group of voters in particular?

Minorities

(Quiz2)True or false: Trump voters in general feel they have something to lose?

True

(Quiz2)Are those with higher levels of agreeableness more likely to be conservative or liberal?

Liberal

In the 2024 election, who won the black vote?

KAMALA- 83% overall (also black men and women as individual categories)

Trump- 16% overall

Percentage of people who have a college degree or higher

51%

What age category made Joe Biden win in 2020?

45-64 years old

34% accounts / Biden: 48%

39% accounts / Trump: 51%

Won bc it was so close

In 2020, who won the black vote 91% to 8%?

Biden

T or F: Men are more assertive than women

T

T or F: Men tend to be more agreeable than women

F

T or F: Women are slightly higher than men in Conscientiousness/organization

T

T or F: Women are more extroverted than men

T

T or F: Men are higher in neuroticism than women

F

T or F: Men are slightly higher in openness to new experiences

T

T or F: The younger you are, the more agreeable, emotionally stable, and conscientious you are.

F- OLDER

List some challenges of voter registration that prevent younger people from voting.

Why may it be easier for older voters?

not yet developing the habit to vote, greater geographic mobility / a weaker sense of belonging to a particular community or state, pursuit of advanced education, establishing a professional career/marriage, and building a family may lead to voting not being a priority. In contrast, older people are more socialized into and have established voting habits/have more free time.

In 2020, those who didn't progress to higher education were more likely to vote for _____ in the primaries and in both elections.

Trump

As academics note, people who feel under threat - from demographic change, economic decline, and who are prone to negative emotions - tend to favor ________ leaders.

authoritarian

From the article "For Older Voters, Outsized Impact at the Ballot Box Continues," explain why they may have an outsized impact

Increasing voter-outreach efforts by groups focused on the needs of older Americans

A deeply felt sense of civic involvement among those who became active in the 1960s and '70s.

Over the years, voting has become easier, with mail ballots and expanded in-person options more prevalent.

They have a lot riding on the actions of who wins. It's not just Social Security and Medicare but also prescription drug prices, family caregiving costs, long-term care — all topics that are "front and center for older voters," says Khelan Bhatia, AARP voter engagement director. "It's very real for them."

What group tends to rely heavily on their family and community leaders for information and vote as a block?

Minorities

Are minorities or whites more likely to be open to voting outside of their race/community?

Whites

Give a definition for: Openness

What political orientation does it correlate with?

-The degree of intellectual curiosity, creativity, and a preference for novelty

-inventive and curious or -consistent and cautious

-Liberalism

Give a definition for: Conscientiousness

What political orientation does it correlate with?

-A tendency to be organized and dependable

-Efficient and organized or-Easy-going and careless

-Conservatism

Give a definition for: Extroversion

What political orientation does it correlate with?

-The tendency to seek the company of others & talk

-Solitary and reserved or-Outgoing and energetic

-Conservatism

Give a definition for: Agreeableness

What political orientation does it correlate with?

-A measure of one's trusting and helpful nature

-Challenging and detached or-Friendly and compassionate

-Liberalism

Give a definition for: Neuroticism

What political orientation does it correlate with?

-Predisposition to psychological stress

-Secure and confident or-Sensitive and nervous

-Liberalism

What is the most predictive trait of political orientation?

Openness

Partially, why change tends to be so slow in politics is because people are at war with each other's ___________ differences

personality

what is described as the "motherly trait"?

Agreeableness

Trump appeared to appeal more to men who may be insecure about their ___________.

manhood

What does this term in conservatism stand for: RINO

Republican in name only

What factors caused Trump to Lose Ground With Voters Who Powered His 2024 Gains?

His rhetoric, record on climate change, and immigration raids

Lost him hispanic, black, and Gen Z voters

People high in ________ are more likely to support left-wing economic policies and to vote for parties that advocate redistribution.

neuroticism

How does social support hypothesis explain why neuroticism is linked to politics?

Neurotic people are more sensitive to social exclusion and, therefore, more likely to feel needy and vulnerable. These feelings, in turn, cause people to favor policies associated with care and provisioning, such as redistribution.

The link between anxiety and left-wing economics is strongest among people who ________________________.

currently feel excluded or have little social support.

__________: a facet of neuroticism that picks up differences in the system that generates distress; shapes whether people feel vulnerable when threatened.

__________: picks up differences in reactive anger and mood swings / unrelated to whether people feel vulnerable

a. Anxiety

b. Emotional volatility

If the US wants to make good on its foundational claims of a democratic system of governance open to all citizens, it must find ways to close the ______ turnout gap.

racial

(Quiz3)SIT is an acronym that commonly refers to which of the following?

a. Social Identification Theory

b. Social Integration Theory

c. Social Identity Theory

d. Social Ideologue Theory

c. Social Identity Theory

A person who bases judgments on whether the current period is good or bad would fall under what level?

a. Near ideologue

b. Nature of the times

c. Group interest

d. No issue content

b. Nature of the times

According to Philip Converse, around what percentage of people fell into the ideologue or near ideologue categories?

a. 10%

b. 20%

c. 30%

d. 40%

a. 10%

During what period of time did the Big Five personality models become more mainstream?

a. 2000s

b. 1950s

c. 1970s

d. 1990s

d. 1990s

Tajfel would argue that identifying with in-groups and differentiating from out-groups would enhance an individual's what?

a. Self-esteem

b. Joy

c. Compassion

d. Belonging

a. Self-esteem

According to Panish and Delton, what is a predictor of strong support for redistribution and welfare?

Anxiety

According to Iyengar, partisan bias is comparable to what other form of bias?

Racial

According to SIT, what stage comes after social categorization?

Social indentification

After social identification, the next stage in Social Identity Theory (SIT) is:

Social comparison

Henri Tajfel wrote his work about SIT during what decade?

70s

The extent to which partisans not only disagree but dislike or distrust those from the opposing party is known as what?

Affective polarization

What was the title of Philip Converse's landmark work, written in 1964?

The nature of belief systems in mass publics

Social support hypothesis

Anxiety developed as a way to detect social vulnerability - the fear of being unprotected/left out.

In modern politics, this maps to support for government programs that provide care and assurance

Threats & Responses

Lean _____: physical / security threats (much more restrictive of communities)

Lean _____: social threats (exclusion/loneliness)

Right

Left

What was the most influential in Trump losing votes...

a. Climate policy/environmental concerns

b. Rhetoric and racial/identity politics

c. Immigration enforcement/raids

d. Economic stress and instability

e. Promises vs. outcome

e. Promises vs. outcome

Level of Conceptualism

How abstractly a person thinks about politics

_______: a set of ideas/issue sentiments connected by cognitive or psychological constraints

_______: how much one belief predicts another belief

Belief system

Constraint

Enhancing self-esteem by seeking to identify with "in-groups" and differentiating from "out-groups" is what theory

SIT

Implications of SIT

shift in group membership

in-group favoritism

stereotyping/prejudice

intergroup conflict

Who wrote Nature of Belief System in Mass Publics (1964)

Phillip E. Converse

Who founded Social Identity Theory (mid to late 70s)

Henri Tajfel

When was affective polarization founded

2000s

4 types of polarization

Affective

Perceived

Social

Ideological

Types of polarization:

______: differences in policy preferences/ issue positions

______ (risen since the 80s): emotional dislike/hostility toward opposing parties (social enemies)

______: belief that parties are farther apart than they actually are

______: when partisan divisions align with race, religion, geography, culture (produces "mega-identities")

Ideological

Affective

Perceived

Social

Name elite level drivers/sources of polarization

-Party elites have become more ideologically distinct to strategically use polarization to mobilize supporters

-Political leaders frame the opposition in moral + identity-based terms

-They use strategic use of negative partisanship (the other party is a threat)

Name institutional level drivers/sources of polarization

-Electoral incentives: winner takes all elections / rewarded for being the biggest Democrat or Republican

-Media Environment: echo-chambers, social media, news channels, algorithms

-Campaign Finance/gerrymandering: trying to redraw their lines/redistricting

__________: individuals process information to defend their party instead of for accuracy

Motivated Reasoning

________: emotional cues spread through their social networks, intensifying anger + fear

Affective contagion

________: desire to hold true beliefs

________: desire to hold beliefs aligned with ones in-group, maintain social status, avoid rejection

Accuracy goals

Identity/Social goals