A psychological analysis of Trump supporters has uncovered 5 key traits about them

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The lightning-fast ascent and political invincibility of Donald Trump has left many experts baffled and wondering, “How did we get here?” Any accurate and sufficient answer to that question must not only focus on Trump himself, but also on his uniquely loyal supporters. Given their extreme devotion and unwavering admiration for their highly unpredictable and often inflammatory leader, some have turned to the field of psychology for scientific explanations based on precise quantitative data and established theoretical frameworks.

Although analyses and studies by psychologists and neuroscientists have provided many thought-provoking explanations for his enduring support, the accounts of different experts often vary greatly, sometimes overlapping and other times conflicting. However insightful these critiques may be, it is apparent that more research and examination is needed to hone in on the exact psychological and social factors underlying this peculiar human behavior.

In a recent review paper published in the Journal of Social and Political Psychology, Psychologist and UC Santa Cruz professor Thomas Pettigrew argues that five major psychological phenomena can help explain this exceptional political event.

https://www.rawstory.com/2017/08/a-psychological-analysis-of-trump-supporters-has-uncovered-5-key-traits-about-them/amp/

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1. Political invincibility and record high disapproval ratings doesnt mesh well.

Whatever invincibility has has has everything to do with the (r) after his name and virtually nothing to do with him.

Hell, he *is* the ongoing disaster that he needs the media and the republicans in congress to protect him from.

[NRaleighLiberal]

2. I only know one trumper really well - my brother.

The major factor by far is the first mentioned - authoritarian personality syndrome. He has always really needed to be told what to do, how to think. It colored his relationship with our parents, his two wives, the type of church he chose. to a lesser degree, there is little intergroup contact, and maybe a hint of prejudice. But it is really the authoritarian thing by far that is the most significant factor I've observed.

[pbmus]

3. Thank you for your sharing...tragic when families are so disparate...

[NRaleighLiberal]

4. well, he and I have always been like night and day -

I was pretty outgoing and confident, he very reserved and inward and insecure. We've had a rocky relationship - I love the guy, but he is a bit distrustful of me - goes way back to the very early days in our family (the smothers brothers thing - he really thinks my parents favored me - and in a way, sadly, he was correct). So he carries wounds. Makes me feel bad - he really is the only one left in both my and my wife's families - parents, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters all gone, except for my brother.

We cannot - just cannot - even begin to talk politics.

Another factor that is not mentioned in the five in the article - fear. my brother lives a fearful life - me, not at all. I think fear drives a lot on the right to the group think authoritarian stuff that we all find so off-putting.

[pbmus]

7. Yes fear of loss...losing something....almost always comes up in conversations..

[Hugin]

5. It's really difficult to make a psychological assessment of Trumpanzees. Especially, when they are..

mostly Russian Bots.

[ProudLib72]

6. This is like reading a Cosmo article: "Why Does My Boyfriend Hate Me?"

I don't care to understand them. Until they get serious help, FUCK THEM!

[FirstLight]

8. my 16 yr old is shocked that there's actually kids her age who believe in him

But, we both acknowledge these concepts are true. It's a whole group of people being manipulated by the Trump "brand" a,d his speechwriters know it...so does he. Trumpspeak is the way he's functioned for decades.

[Upthevibe]

9. Interesting....n/t

[lindysalsagal]

10. Most republican trait studies are similar: insecurity is the underlying reason.

Some brains are just shaky and he makes them feel better. Ironically, he makes others more fearful.

[ffr]

11. Snowflakes, whiners, wimps, misogynists, & shell-shocked fear mongers

That about sums up the traits of traitors that'll break any law or say anything to hold onto power.

[Lithos]

12. Read a book - Conservatives without a Conscience by John Dean

Yes, he's a Nixonian Conservative, but he despises what the Religious Right and their Authoritarian tendencies have done to the old Republican Party.

The book is a play on Goldwater's famous 1960's piece - Conscience of a Conservative.

If you want to know more about the core of Authoritarianism, see Robert Altermeyer's works -

http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~altemey/

Some nice links there