PSYCHOLOGY

Unravelling the Psychology of Voting: Beyond the Ballot Box 🗳️

In a democracy, voting stands as a cornerstone of civic engagement, empowering citizens to shape the future of their country. Yet, beyond the act of marking an ‘X’ on a piece of paper, voting behaviour is deeply intertwined with psychological factors, shedding light on the intricate interplay between individual traits and political preferences.

💡 Things to consider

• Personality Dimensions and Political Preferences: Research has consistently demonstrated that personality dimensions, such as conscientiousness and openness to experience, play a significant role in shaping political leanings. Individuals high in conscientiousness (characterised by orderliness, dependability, and self-discipline) tend to gravitate towards conservative economic policies, favouring tax reductions and fiscal responsibility. Conversely, those high in openness to experience (marked by intellectual curiosity, imagination, and a willingness to embrace new ideas) often align with liberal social policies, advocating for progressive social change and immigration reform. These correlations are modest, so if you're high on 'orderliness' you aren't necessarily going to be conservative, but the chances are slightly higher that you will be. Why do you think these traits tend to align with these political stances?

  

  Exactly.

• The Conundrum of Causation: The relationship between personality and political preferences raises intriguing questions about the direction of causality. Do personality traits predispose individuals to adopt certain political ideologies, or do political experiences and affiliations shape personality over time? For example, could someone who leans conservative in their youth due to a strong preference for order and tradition become more open to progressive ideas later in life due to exposure to diverse perspectives? Or, does becoming politically active within a particular movement reinforce specific personality traits? If so, what could those traits be?

  

• The Dynamic Nature of Personality: Personality is not a static construct; it can evolve throughout an individual’s lifespan. Life stages and changes such as parenthood, retirement, or exposure to social movements might prompt reevaluations of political beliefs. What else changes throughout an individual’s lifespan? Might this impact someone’s political preferences. Alternatively, do you think it impacts someone’s personality? How might this relate to our ‘conundrum of causation’?

  

  … and your political beliefs?

🔎 Find out more

• X … is for voting - Psychology A-Z

• The moral roots of liberals and conservatives (TED Talk)

🍒 The cherry on top

• ⚖️ Taylor Swift and Copyright: This article explores how Taylor Swift is re-recording her own music to control her copyrights. Is this a power move for musicians everywhere? At a Harvard Law School event, an expert in digital exploitation of intellectual property says Taylor Swift singlehandedly shifted composition copyright considerations. This is a great read for those interested in Law, Business, (or just love Taylor Swift!)

• ⏰ Forensic Secrets of Decaying Corpses: The “microbial clock” — the predictable changes in bacteria and fungi after death — offers clues about time of death and other vital details often lost in traditional investigations. As scientists decode this hidden microbial timeline, they’re uncovering a promising new tool for forensic detectives. Great if you’re into Biology, Chemistry, or Criminology!

• 📢 Disasters & Disagreements: How does extreme weather fuels climate change debates? This article explores how experiencing natural disasters can surprisingly lead to more political disagreement about climate change. Investigate how extreme weather impacts our political views! This is a great read for anyone interested in Politics, Environment, or Sociology.

👀 Keep your eyes peeled for…

• 27th January

  • UEA Media Taster Session

• 28th January

  • Christ’s College/Trinity College Cambridge - Women in Maths Residential Application Deadline

  • Murray Edwards College Cambridge English Webinar

  • Oxford Chemistry Online Workshop

  • UEA Health Sciences Taster Session

• 29th January

  • Magdalene College Cambridge History Taster Webinar

• 30th January

  • UEA English Webinar

🗳️ Poll