Most Americans Back Trump, But With Some Conditions Attached
A majority of Americans support Donald Trump, but their backing comes with caveats. Recent data from Cambridge University's Political Psychology lab reveals that Trump voters believe American values, traditions, and future economic prosperity are under threat ¹.
Almost nine out of ten Trump voters agree that "American values and beliefs are being undermined and cherished traditions are under threat." This sentiment is shared by only 45% of Kamala Harris supporters. Similarly, 87% of Trump voters believe jobs in the US are insecure, and future prosperity is under threat, compared to 39% of Harris supporters.
These findings suggest that Trump's appeal lies in his ability to tap into the sense of threat perceived by many American voters. Dr. Lee de-Wit, head of Cambridge's Political Psychology lab, notes that Trump's values and attitudes align with those of his supporters, which is a key factor in his appeal.
The survey also found that Trump voters scored higher in authoritarianism and Social Dominance Orientation, which are psychological characteristics that respond to perceived threats. People who score high in authoritarianism tend to enforce in-group norms and respect legitimate authority, while those high in Social Dominance Orientation care about the position of their in-group in relation to other groups.
The famous "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) slogan resonates strongly with Trump voters, with 97% agreeing that "Americans should make our country great again." This slogan invokes a perceived loss of status, which matters to those high in Social Dominance Orientation.
In contrast, Democrat slogans like "We have more in common than what separates us" polled favorably across the board, with a majority of both Trump and Harris voters agreeing with the statement.
The survey's findings highlight the importance of understanding the psychological characteristics and values that drive voter behavior. As Dr. de-Wit notes, politicians need to think deeply about how to respond to the perceived threats and values of their constituents.
Ultimately, while a majority of Americans support Donald Trump, their support is not unconditional. It is rooted in a complex mix of values, attitudes, and psychological characteristics that politicians would do well to understand.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0