TY - JOUR
T1 - Brexit, Trump, and the Polarizing Effect of Disillusionment
AU - Maher, Paul J.
AU - Igou, Eric R.
AU - van Tilburg, Wijnand A.P.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2018, © The Author(s) 2018.
PY - 2018/3/1
Y1 - 2018/3/1
N2 - We investigate experiences of disillusionment as a source of political polarization. Disillusioning experiences motivate a search for meaning, and we propose that people respond by seeking reassurance in political ideologies, reflected in political polarization. We first tested this hypothesis in the context of two major political events: the European Union (EU) membership referendum in the United Kingdom and the 2016 U.S. presidential election. In Study 1, disillusionment stemming from the EU referendum outcome led “remain” supporters to express more extreme political views. In Study 2, we measured political stance and disillusionment before and after the U.S. presidential election. Political polarization occurred among Clinton supporters, and this was mediated by increased disillusionment levels. In Study 3, we manipulated disillusionment and found that disillusioned participants expressed stronger support for diverging forms of political activism. Consistent with our approach, this effect was mediated by epistemic motivations. Implications regarding the effect of political polarization in society are discussed.
AB - We investigate experiences of disillusionment as a source of political polarization. Disillusioning experiences motivate a search for meaning, and we propose that people respond by seeking reassurance in political ideologies, reflected in political polarization. We first tested this hypothesis in the context of two major political events: the European Union (EU) membership referendum in the United Kingdom and the 2016 U.S. presidential election. In Study 1, disillusionment stemming from the EU referendum outcome led “remain” supporters to express more extreme political views. In Study 2, we measured political stance and disillusionment before and after the U.S. presidential election. Political polarization occurred among Clinton supporters, and this was mediated by increased disillusionment levels. In Study 3, we manipulated disillusionment and found that disillusioned participants expressed stronger support for diverging forms of political activism. Consistent with our approach, this effect was mediated by epistemic motivations. Implications regarding the effect of political polarization in society are discussed.
KW - disillusionment
KW - emotion
KW - meaning
KW - political polarization
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85043590648&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/1948550617750737
DO - 10.1177/1948550617750737
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85043590648
SN - 1948-5506
VL - 9
SP - 205
EP - 213
JO - Social Psychological and Personality Science
JF - Social Psychological and Personality Science
IS - 2
ER -