Compassionate liberals and polite conservatives Flashcards
What is the central claim of the study by Hirsh et al. (2010)?
The study explores the relationship between agreeableness and political ideology, suggesting that liberals are more compassionate and conservatives are more polite, both reflecting different moral values.
What personality trait is linked to political ideology in the study?
Agreeableness: A personality trait associated with empathy, kindness, and cooperation.
How does agreeableness relate to political ideology?
Liberals tend to score higher on agreeableness, which aligns with their emphasis on compassion and care for others.
Conservatives score lower on agreeableness but tend to exhibit higher levels of politeness and social order, valuing tradition and authority.
What moral values do liberals emphasize, according to the study?
Compassion and concern for the welfare of others, particularly those in need or marginalized.
What moral values are emphasized by conservatives in the study?
Politeness, respect for authority, and social order, with an emphasis on maintaining tradition and social hierarchy.
What is the connection between agreeableness and moral foundations?
Agreeable individuals are more likely to endorse moral values related to care and harm reduction (emphasized by liberals), while less agreeable individuals may focus more on moral values related to loyalty, authority, and purity (values associated with conservatism).
How did the authors measure political ideology and moral values?
The authors used personality assessments (to measure agreeableness) and surveys that assessed political orientation and moral values (care, harm, loyalty, authority, and purity).
What is the key finding about liberals and conservatives in relation to moral values?
Liberals are more focused on compassionate values, while conservatives prioritize politeness, social order, and respect for authority.
How does the study explain differences in political ideology through personality traits?
Political ideology can be partly explained by the big five personality traits, with agreeableness playing a major role in the ideological divide, particularly in relation to moral priorities (compassion for liberals, respect for authority for conservatives).
How does the study’s finding challenge traditional views on political ideologies?
The study suggests that political ideologies are not just about economic policy or social beliefs but are also shaped by deep-seated psychological differences, such as personality traits and moral values.
What role does agreeableness play in explaining moral values across the political spectrum?
Agreeable individuals, typically more liberal, emphasize care and compassion in moral decision-making, while less agreeable, typically conservative individuals, emphasize values of order, authority, and tradition.
How does the study contribute to understanding political behavior?
By linking personality traits like agreeableness to political ideology, the study offers insight into why liberals and conservatives often hold fundamentally different moral and political views.
