Meaning, Worldviews & Ideology

Summary: This article challenges the assumption that young children lack the capacity for political thought, arguing that early social cognition and proto-political attitudes lay the foundation for adult political ideologies such as authoritarianism, social dominance, and hawkish ideology. It demonstrates how studying early childhood is critical for a complete understanding of political psychology.

Summary: This article investigates how individuals' meta-beliefs about whether beliefs ought to change in light of evidence relate to their actual beliefs across domains such as religion, politics, and science. The findings show that endorsing an actively open-minded style toward evidence is associated with more liberal political views, greater acceptance of scientific claims, and greater skepticism toward paranormal and conspiratorial claims, underscoring the importance of meta-cognitive factors in belief formation and revision.

Summary: This review examines psychological profiles across the ideological spectrum, finding that left- and right-wing individuals are more similar than often recognized, though they differ in personality, values, and the groups they prioritize, with implications for understanding political thought and behavior.