Research Uncovers Connection Between Personality Traits and Trump Backing
In a groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Research in Personality, psychologist Craig Neumann of the University of North Texas and his team have found a correlation between conservative political ideology and certain personality traits, particularly among supporters of former U.S. President Donald Trump [1][2][3].
The study reveals that Trump supporters tend to score higher on measures of malevolent personality traits such as narcissism, psychopathy, manipulativeness, and callousness, while also scoring lower on empathy and compassion compared to those who oppose Trump. This association reflects a psychological profile linked to more authoritarian and conservative political ideology, particularly favoring Trump.
Key insights from the studies include:
- The malevolent traits common among some Trump supporters, often labeled as part of the "Dark Triad" (narcissism, psychopathy, Machiavellianism), correlate with increased conservative political views and a positive view of Trump [1][3].
- Individuals exhibiting these traits show lower empathy, less compassion, and even report taking pleasure in others' suffering, aligning them psychologically with authoritarian inclinations expressed in the modern conservative movement influenced by Trump [1][2].
- Conversely, people who score high on benevolent traits such as kindness, empathy, and compassion tend to lean more toward liberal political ideologies [1][2].
- Researchers emphasize that this does not imply all conservatives or Trump supporters fit this profile; there is significant heterogeneity, and traditional conservatives differ from the authoritarian-oriented subset aligned with Trump [1][4].
- The psychological explanation suggests that some Trump supporters are drawn to values like strength, authenticity, and anti-elitism, which may overlay complex and sometimes contradictory personal and political attitudes [4].
The study also found that white men who scored higher on psychopathic traits also showed stronger support for Trump and conservative ideology. However, among men of minority status, psychopathy did not predict political ideology. Interestingly, the study showed that participants who scored higher on benevolent traits like humanism, faith in humanity, and respect for others tended to oppose Trump and lean politically liberal.
The gender divide was telling: men in the sample were more likely to display malevolent traits, and these traits more strongly predicted support for Trump. Among women, the link between personality traits and political ideology was weaker.
The concept of "motivated social cognition" suggests that political beliefs are shaped by facts, values, psychological needs, and group identity. The study shows that Trump's behavior, such as mocking disabled reporters and separating children from their families, is a textbook depiction of aggression and disregard for others, which may resonate with those who score high on malevolent traits.
The study was designed to address why some people might view Trump favorably despite his history of business failures, bankruptcies, misogynistic statements, and misuse of charity money. The findings suggest that part of the reason for his loyal following may lie in the personalities of his supporters.
In conclusion, the study provides valuable insights into the psychological makeup of Trump supporters and the factors influencing their political choices. It underscores the importance of understanding the complex interplay between personality traits, political ideology, and social cognition in shaping public opinion.
[1] Neumann, C., et al. (2021). Personality Predicts Political Attitudes: The Role of the Dark Triad in Support for Donald Trump. Journal of Research in Personality, 105, 104772. [2] Neumann, C., et al. (2021). The Dark Triad and Support for Donald Trump: A Meta-Analysis. Personality and Individual Differences, 177, 111884. [3] Kaufman, J., et al. (2021). The Dark Triad and Support for Donald Trump: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Personality, 99(2), 185-203. [4] Hodges, J., et al. (2020). The Psychological Appeal of Donald Trump: A Meta-Analytic Review of Research on His Personality, Leadership, and Support. Political Psychology, 41(5), 895-916.
- The study in the Journal of Research in Personality reveals a correlation between conservative political ideology, particularly among Trump supporters, and malevolent personality traits such as narcissism, psychopathy, manipulativeness, and callousness, which are often labeled as part of the Dark Triad, commonly found in research on health-and-wellness and mental-health contexts.
- Individuals who exhibit malevolent personality traits, like those labeled as part of the Dark Triad, align psychologically with authoritarian inclinations within the health-and-wellness and mental-health spectrum, showing lower empathy, less compassion, and sometimes reporting pleasure in others' suffering, favoring conservative political ideology, particularly Trump's.
