We propose that political
differences in social policy support may be partly driven by the tendency for
conservatives to show greater sensitivity to deviance than liberals, even among
targets lacking social or functional relevance.
In 3 studies, participants were
shown geometric figures and were asked to identify the extent to which they
were "triangles" (or circles, squares, etc.). More conservative
participants reported greater differentiation between perfect and imperfect
shapes than more liberal participants, indicating greater sensitivity to
deviance.
Moreover, shape differentiation partly accounted for the relationship
between political ideology and social policy, partially mediating the link
between conservatism and harsher punishment of wrongdoers (Studies 1 and 4),
less support for public aid for disadvantaged groups (Study 2), and less
financial backing for policies that benefit marginalized groups in society
(Study 3). This effect was specific to policies that targeted deviant groups
(Study 3) and who were not too highly deviant (Study 4).
Results suggest that,
in addition to commonly cited affective and motivational reactions to deviant
actors, political differences in social policy may also be driven by
conservatives' greater cognitive propensity to distinguish deviance.
Purchase full article at: http://goo.gl/VMSjTi
By:
More at: https://twitter.com/hiv_insight
No comments:
Post a Comment