Psychological study explains why authoritarian adherents are so miserable yet have no plans on changing

[AshG]

Exposure to authoritarian messages leads to worsened mood but heightened meaning in life

“One of the reasons authoritarian values may be appealing to people is because exposure to them enhances the feeling that life is meaningful,” Womick told PsyPost. “Authoritarian messages are everywhere in the modern information environment. It is possible that the meaning boosting capacity of expressions of authoritarian values is one of the factors (among many others) that might drive people to eventually viewing these as a compelling belief system.”

The researchers consistently found that reading authoritarian passages was associated with worsened mood compared to reading the other passages. “Exposure to authoritarian values also puts people in a foul mood, and these may to some extent mask their impact on meaning in life,” Womick said.

 

[Gandalf]

Exposure to authoritarian messages leads to worsened mood but heightened meaning in life

“One of the reasons authoritarian values may be appealing to people is because exposure to them enhances the feeling that life is meaningful,” Womick told PsyPost. “Authoritarian messages are everywhere in the modern information environment. It is possible that the meaning boosting capacity of expressions of authoritarian values is one of the factors (among many others) that might drive people to eventually viewing these as a compelling belief system.”

The researchers consistently found that reading authoritarian passages was associated with worsened mood compared to reading the other passages. “Exposure to authoritarian values also puts people in a foul mood, and these may to some extent mask their impact on meaning in life,” Womick said.

What is even more sad is when they actually do the same test but neutralized for "right wing vs left wing". Note that is published in the Atlantic no less, to their credit. The fact is that most testers dont even recognize that left wing authoritarianism exists. The most blind are they who declare "I see!", while leading others into the abyss.

 

[hog88]

What the hell did Eleanor Roosevelt lead?

 

[Gandalf]

What the hell did Eleanor Roosevelt lead?

She was the first First lady to have bisexual relations (that we know of) with a female journalist - while FDR was in bed with the media in different ways of course.