What Makes People Adopt Liberal vs Conservative Ideologies?

The Psychology Behind Political Ideology

Political ideology refers to a set of beliefs and values about how society and government should operate. People's political ideologies fall on a spectrum from left to right. Those on the left, known as liberals, tend to favor progressive policies that promote equality and social welfare programs. Those on the right, known as conservatives, tend to favor traditional values, limited government, and free market economics.

But what makes someone lean more to the left or the right? Research shows it's a complex mix of psychological factors, including personality traits, moral values, needs for order and stability, cognitive styles, and social influences.

Personality Traits

Studies find certain personality traits correlate with political ideology. For example, people who score high in openness to experience tend to be more liberal. They enjoy novelty, variety and unconventional ideas. People high in conscientiousness tend to be more conservative. They prefer order, structure and traditional values.

Other traits like agreeableness and extraversion show mixed or weak relationships with ideology. But overall, personality accounts for some of the variation in political attitudes.

Moral Values

Moral foundations theory argues that political ideologies stem from differences in moral values. The theory identifies six moral foundations:

• Care - concern for the suffering of others
• Fairness - concern for justice and reciprocity
• Loyalty - commitment to one's in-group
• Authority - respect for hierarchy and leadership
• Sanctity - concern for purity and sacredness
• Liberty - concern for freedom and autonomy

Research finds liberals tend to emphasize the care and fairness foundations in their moral matrices. Conservatives tend to rely on all six foundations equally. This helps explain differences in attitudes about social justice, patriotism, traditional values, and freedom.

Desire for Order and Stability

Some studies find that people's need to manage uncertainty and threat relates to political ideology. Those with a high desire for order, structure, and stability tend to lean conservative. Conservatives tend to be more sensitive to threats and react with restrictive policies. Liberals tend to be more open to new experiences and tolerant of ambiguity.

Related to this, people's attitudes about human nature can influence their politics. Conservatives tend to see human nature as more selfish and corruptible. This leads them to favor strict constraints on behavior. Liberals have more faith in the inherent goodness of people and support policies giving them more freedom and benefits.

Cognitive Styles

Psychologists have identified various thinking styles that impact political beliefs. For example, conservatives tend to have a stronger need for cognitive closure. They find ambiguity and uncertainty in ideas distressing. This causes them to seize on explanations that provide more definitive conclusions. Liberals tend to be more comfortable with nuance and complexity in ideas.

Conservatives also tend to exhibit stronger negativity bias. They pay more attention to threats and negative information than liberals. This strengthens their support for policies aimed at protecting order and stability.

Social Influences

Our social environments and group identities shape our belief systems. People are more likely to adopt the political views of their parents, families, peers, and communities. Shared group identities, norms, and values socialize individuals to support a certain political ideology.

For example, people living in very religious communities are more likely to be politically conservative. This reflects social reinforcement of traditional moral values. People from marginalized groups tend to be more liberal given their support for policies expanding equality and opportunity.

Life Experiences That Cause Political Shifts

While psychology offers some explanations, life experiences also drive political change. Our ideologies evolve as we age, take on new social roles, and face changing economic circumstances.

Aging and Generational Effects

As people move through different life stages, they undergo normative changes in needs and priorities that shift political perspectives. Younger people tend to be more liberal favoring freedom in lifestyle and equality in opportunity. As people marry, have children, and take on more family responsibilities, they often become more conservative valuing stability and security.

Broader generational effects related to the historical eras people grow up in also influence their ideologies. Times of social change and shifting national identity and values can profoundly impact political leanings.

Social Class and Employment

There are also links between social class and political orientation. Those in higher socioeconomic strata tend to lean conservative to support policies protecting their interests. The working class tends to be more mixed holding liberal views on economic policies but conservative views on social issues.

Employment experiences also matter. Research finds the currently unemployed are more likely to support liberal policies around welfare and social programs. The self-employed tend to be more conservative valuing autonomy and limited government interference in business.

Race and Gender

Members of marginalized groups like racial minorities and women tend to lean more liberal. They are more likely to experience discrimination and unequal access to opportunities. This leads them to support liberal policies aimed at promoting diversity, expanding rights, and reducing disparities.

However, within racial groups, factors like income and religion still create some divides. Affluent or highly religious African Americans may lean more conservative than other blacks on some issues like taxes and social policies.

Religious Affiliation

Religion often strongly informs political orientation. Those affiliated with evangelical faiths and sects like Mormonism tend to be very conservative. Catholics lean conservative but are more ideologically mixed. Mainline Protestants tilt moderate to liberal, while Jewish Americans and the non-religious lean strongly liberal.

The level of religiosity matters too. Highly observant, devout individuals tend to be more conservative regardless of denomination. But leans still reflect social values affiliated with different faith traditions.

Geography and Community

Where people live also impacts their ideologies. Urban areas tend to be more liberal exposing residents to diversity and favoring expanded social services. Suburban areas lean conservative as populations are more affluent and connected to traditional social institutions. Rural areas tend to be strongly conservative based on cultural norms and economic reliance on traditional industries like agriculture.

The political climate of one's community and peer groups also creates reinforcement effects. People conform to the dominant views around them. So living among mostly liberals shifts people left while a conservative community pulls people further right over time.

When Are Political Views Most Malleable?

Understanding when people are most open to ideological change is important for reducing polarization. Research suggests some key transitional life stages tend to be periods of flux when political perspectives can shift more easily.

Late Adolescence/Early Adulthood

During and just after their college years, young people are forming their independent political identities. Separating from parents and exposure to new ideas makes them more open to different ideologies. Interactions with diverse peers also prompt political exploration.

New Parenthood

Becoming a new parent causes major life changes that can recalibrate political priorities and views. Suddenly education, childcare, healthcare, and social services feel more personal and relevant.

Midlife

During middle age, adults tend to hit peak earnings and shift focus to goals around meaning, legacy, and giving back. This stage of reflection often leads people to reevaluate old political assumptions.

Retirement

Retirement also opens older adults to new experiences and information outside their habitual bubbles. Letting go of job identities and economic worries may make them reconsider political priorities.

Changing Communities

When people relocate to new cities, towns, or neighborhoods, they become exposed to new social norms and political perspectives. This disruption of their normal environment can jar them into questioning old partisan loyalties.

How to Promote Political Open-Mindedness

While political ideology involves deep-rooted psychological factors, some strategies can encourage more open, flexible thinking.

Expose People to Diverse Views

Seeking out alternative political perspectives prevents insularity. This could involve media outside one's filter bubble or personal interactions with people of different backgrounds.

Appeal to Common Values and Identities

Partisan divisions stem partly from group identities. Highlighting shared identities (like national, community, faith) and values (like family, fairness, freedom) can build ideological bridges.

Focus on Shared Goals

People across the spectrum want many of the same things like economic opportunity, health, and security. Discussing how these goals connect to policies opens minds.

Use the Transitional Moments

Key life changes like becoming a parent or entering a new community offer chances to reframe political discussions for those with shifting perspectives.

Ask Open-Ended Questions

Asking people to explain and reflect on the roots of their political leanings prompts introspection about why they believe what they do.

Political ideology involves a web of psychological, social, and experiential factors. While deeply ingrained, ideological flexibility remains possible. By understanding what shapes political thinking, we can better communicate and find consensus across divisions.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.