Malevolent vs. benevolent dispositions and conservative political ideology in the Trump era

Abstract

Conservative political ideology is associated with social dominance orientation (SDO), right-wing authoritarianism (RWA), psychopathic propensities (PPs), and other malevolent dispositions, and reduced empathy. We examined the links between SDO, RWA, PPs and political ideology, and whether those who view Trump favorably reported higher PPs (or malevolent traits) and reduced empathy or benevolent dispositions. Two U.S. community samples were used; Sample 1 was white vs. minority status men (N = 1000, 32 % minority) and Sample 2 contained men and women (N = 8,047; 45 % male). Structural equation modeling was utilized to represent ideology in terms of right- vs. left-leaning orientation on social and economic issues, including participants’ views of Trump. Malevolent (+) and benevolent (−) dispositions and empathy disturbances were significantly linked with conservative ideology.