Political Psychology - Final Exam

Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy

• Self Actualization

• Self Esteem 

• Love & Belonging 

• Safety Needs 

• Physiological Needs

Ideologues

understand and use abstract liberal/conservative ideology

Near Ideologues

somewhat grasp ideology/ inconsistent

Group Interest

think in terms of  what group a party serves rather than ideology 

Nature of the Times

base their judgements on whether times are good or bad 

No Issue Content

very little to no meaningful issue orientation/often not related to policy 

Ideologue or Near Ideaologue’s makes up what percent of the population?

about 10% or less of the population

Social Categorization

tendency to classify themselves and others based on attributes

Social identification

When someone categorizes themselves they adapt to that group and pick up the groups norms, values and behaviors 

Phillip E. Converse

Nature of Belief Systems 

Idealogue or Near Ideaolgues

Social Comparison

Compare your social group to others and bias towards your group. In group favoritism. Examples: Sports Teams, Political Affiliation

Henri Tajfel

Social Identity Theory. Social categorization, social identification, social comparison

In group/Out group Implications

• In group favoritism 

• Stereotyping and prejudice 

• Intergroup conflict 

• Shifts in Group Membership 

• Belonging

In group/Out group Applications

• Reducing prejudice 

• Political and social movements 

• Organizational behavior

Openness

•  degree of intellectual curiosity, creativity and a preference for novelty 

  • Inventive and curious ↔ consistent and curious 

  • Liberal

  • women

Conscientiousness

•   tendency to be organized and dependable 

  • Efficient and organized ↔ easy going and careless

  • conservative 

Extroversion

•  tendency to seek the company of others and talk 

  • Solitary and reserved ↔ outgoing and energetic

  • Conservative

Agreeableness

• Measure of one’s trusting and helpful nature 

  • Challenging and detached ↔ challenging and compassionate 

  • Liberal

  • Women

Neuroticism

•  Predisposition to psychological stress 

  • Secure and confident ↔ sensitive and nervous 

  • Associated with older

  • Liberal

  • Women

Identity Salience:

When group identity is strong people are more likely to share information that aligns with that identity even if its inaccurate

Motivated Sourcing (Selective Trust) 

People trust sources aligned with their group and distrust cross group sources

What is “precarious manhood”?

A feeling of insecurity about masculinity, where men fear they are not “man enough,” often leading them to prove their manliness. Also called “fragile masculinity.”

Voter Types + Makeup

Hard R - 20%

Soft R - 20%

I - 25% (quickest growing)

Soft D’s - 20%

Hard R’s - 15%

What 4 things do social identity groups provide?

Belonging, Purpose, Self-worth, and Identity.

What is the Social Support Hypothesis?

The idea that anxiety evolved as a mechanism to detect social vulnerability or the fear of being left out/unprotected. 
It maps onto support for government programs that provide social support and insurance.

Reasons behind the slide: 

• Climate policy/environmental concerns 

• Rhetoric and racial/identity politics 

• Immigration enforcement/raids

• Economic stress and instability 

• *Promises vs. outcome

What is ideological polarization?

Difference in policy preferences or issue positions.

What is affective polarization?

Emotional dislike/hostility toward opposing partisans; see each other as social enemies.

What is perceived polarization?

Belief that parties are farther apart than they actually are

What is social polarization?

When partisan divisions align with race, religion, geography, or culture (mega identities)