The psychological traits that shape your political beliefs | Dannagal G. Young

Summary

This talk explores how our psychological traits shape our engagement with the world, influencing our political and cultural beliefs. The speaker contrasts two personal relationships to illustrate the value of both openness to ambiguity and a need for order. She warns of media and political exploitation of these differences, urging us to see them as complementary gifts essential for societal survival and progress.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The speaker is a political and social psychologist who explores how people's perceptions of the world impact society and democracy.
• 🔍 People can view the world as either safe and good or as threatening, shaping their attitudes towards uncertainty and their approach to life.
• 🎨 The speaker's late husband, Mike, embraced ambiguity and openness, which was beneficial during his illness and influenced her approach to life after his passing.
• 👮‍♂️ Her current husband, PJ, seeks order and predictability, which provided stability and a different perspective on life.
• 🧠 Psychological traits significantly influence how individuals engage with the world and can predict political and cultural beliefs.
• 🌟 Openness and tolerance for ambiguity often correlate with liberal cultural and social views, while a focus on threats and a need for certainty are linked to conservative views.
• 📺 The media and political elites exploit these psychological differences to incite fear, hatred, and division for their own gain.
• 🤔 The link between psychology and politics is not fixed; individuals can hold a mix of traits, and context plays a significant role in shaping these connections.
• 🚀 Both liberal and conservative inclinations are necessary for society, with the former fostering innovation and the latter ensuring stability and security.
• ⚖️ The real threat to society and democracy might not be the 'other side' but the political and media elites who profit from division and discord.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the speaker's academic research?

The speaker's academic research focuses on how people understand the world and how this perception impacts society and democracy, particularly in terms of how different psychological traits shape our engagement with the world.

How do people who see the world as safe and good differ in their approach to life?

People who view the world as safe and good are more comfortable with uncertainty, and they tend to prioritize exploration, play, and openness over order and predictability.

What role do political elites and partisan media play according to the speaker's research?

Political elites and partisan media exploit the differences in people's psychological traits to engender hatred and fear, using these differences to manipulate public opinion and gain attention for their own benefit.

How did the speaker's late husband Mike influence her understanding of ambiguity and uncertainty?

The speaker's late husband Mike, an artist, taught her to be open and comfortable with ambiguity, which helped her navigate the uncertainty of his illness and his eventual passing.

What are the characteristics of the speaker's current husband PJ, and how do they contrast with Mike's?

PJ, a criminal prosecutor, sees the world as potentially good if threats are managed. He values order, predictability, and tradition, which contrasts with Mike's embrace of ambiguity and openness.

How do the speaker's personal experiences with Mike and PJ illustrate her research findings?

The speaker's experiences show that psychological traits shape how we engage with the world and that both openness to ambiguity and a need for certainty are necessary and valuable approaches to life.

What is the relationship between psychological traits and political beliefs according to the speaker?

People who are less concerned with threats and more tolerant of ambiguity tend to be more culturally and socially liberal, while those who monitor for threats and prefer certainty tend to be more conservative.

How do the media and political systems exploit psychological differences?

The media and political systems exploit psychological differences by delivering divisive messages tailored to individual preferences, using algorithms and microtargeting to deepen divisions and increase engagement for profit and power.

What is the potential danger the speaker identifies in the current political and media context?

The speaker identifies the danger in the current political and media context as the weaponization of differences for personal, financial, and political gain, which can lead to societal division and conflict.

What alternative perspective does the speaker propose regarding the differences between people?

The speaker proposes that instead of viewing differences as threats, we should appreciate them as necessary gifts that can help society survive and thrive, encouraging real people to connect and appreciate the value of both openness and vigilance.