Political Psychology

A large-scale study has found that conservatives in the United States trust scientists less than liberals across nearly all scientific fields. Attempts to boost trust through brief, targeted messages failed, suggesting these attitudes may be deeply rooted.

A massive global study finds that people living in democratic nations are less likely to score high on the “dark triad” of Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy—and more likely to be empathetic and satisfied with life.

A new study finds that Americans are more influenced by political party affiliation than any other identity trait when deciding who they like, trust, or want to associate with. The findings suggest that polarization in the United States is driven...

A new study finds that deepfakes made by an undergraduate student were able to sway political opinions and create false memories, but they weren't consistently more persuasive than written misinformation. The findings raise questions about the actual threat posed by...

New research shows that personal hardships like job loss and eviction can make people less likely to vote—but in some cases, they may inspire other political actions. The findings highlight how life disruptions shape democratic participation in an increasingly precarious...

The Supreme Court's Dobbs decision may be reshaping more than abortion access. A new study finds that Americans whose beliefs clash with anticipated state abortion laws feel less belonging and are more likely to consider moving, potentially amplifying political sorting...

A new study has identified a brain network linked to political intensity but not to ideology or party affiliation. Veterans with lesions affecting cognitive and emotional circuits showed changes in political involvement, suggesting that brain structure may influence how strongly...

Populism may be powered by "popcorn politics," as new studies show voters are more drawn to entertaining leaders who stir emotions and challenge elites.

Contrary to popular belief, conspiracy theories may not drive democratic decline—rather, those who reject democracy seem more prone to conspiratorial thinking.

Traffic fine revenues drop during sheriff elections, hinting at strategic enforcement tied to reelection efforts.

Racism, sexism, and other biases are growing more closely linked, especially among politically conservative Americans, according to a new study.

A partisan divide has emerged in how Americans trust their doctors. New research suggests Democrats are now more likely than Republicans to rely on and follow medical advice.

Neuroscientists have uncovered distinct brain structure patterns linked to authoritarian beliefs on both sides of the political spectrum.

Analyzing millions of tweets, researchers found that misinformation is strongly linked to radical-right populist parties—not populism in general or partisan politics alone.

The more people overestimate their political smarts, the more likely they are to react aggressively to opposing views and become more polarized.