Understanding the MAGA Mind

[brooklynite]

Authoritarianism

Several traits characterize authoritarianism: deference to authority, aggression toward out-groups, a rigidly hierarchical view of the world, resistance to new experience, and conventionalism (adherence to traditional social norms and belief that others should be required to adhere to those norms). There is evidence to suggest that authoritarianism begins early in life as a personality orientation and later this orientation typically leads to some form of a right-wing political ideology. Authoritarians tend to view the world as a very dangerous and threatening place and are typically triggered by threat and fear.

Trump’s appeal to authoritarians is consistent with the fact that they seek politicians that protect law and order, defend traditional and religious values, and react negatively and even aggressively towards norm violators.

Social Dominance Orientation

Although Social Dominance Orientation is closely related to authoritarianism, it is separate and distinct. Social Dominance Orientation is characterized by an individual’s preference for societal hierarchies and domination over lower-status groups. Individuals who score high in Social Dominance Orientation typically believe in a “dog-eat-dog” world and report being motivated by self-interest and self-indulgence. These individuals are typically tough-minded, driven, dominant, disagreeable, and relatively uncaring seekers of power.

Trump resonates with individuals high in Social Dominance Orientation because they particularly favor competition-based social inequality and group dominance.

Out-Group Prejudice

This is prejudice towards those one sees as outside of one’s in-group, as defined, for example, by family, community, gender, race, sexual orientation, political party, religious, or national identity.

Although Trump’s most dedicated followers appear to be characterized by many out-group prejudices, those most popularly stoked by Trump’s rhetoric have tended to be anti-Mexican, anti-Black, and anti-Muslim attitudes.



https://edergenzinger.medium.com/understanding-the-maga-mind-d38ad1b996a

[Bernardo de La Paz]

1. Yes, also Altemeyer studies of RW Authoritarian Followers

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Altemeyer

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right-wing_authoritarianism

Online version of a key book of his, and his site: https://theauthoritarians.org/

[Bernardo de La Paz]

2. Re: "dog-eat-dog" Social Dominance Orientation

RWAF are all about "zero sum games", which they treat as a jungle competition and that quickly devolves into a ravenous negative sum game race to the bottom. "Hands off! I got my stack!"

Progressives, liberals, Liberals, Democrats, and New Democrats are all about positive sum games where cooperation, diversity and empathy create a bigger pie.

Needless to say, trickle down does not create a bigger pie. Otherwise known as "piss on peasants and sell it to them as warm rain".

[vanlassie]

3. Glad to see "begins early in life" because there

is plenty of documentation that unmet needs in the first three years of life can result in fearfulness, and antisocial behaviors. Some practices which can cause this result include:
Letting babies cry it out.
Seeking, from birth, not to “spoil” a child, by withholding loving and attentive care such as carrying and rocking and gentle sleep initiations.
Rationing attention.
Indifference to children’s feelings as significant.
Leaving babies with strangers before they are comfortable with separation.
Attempts to keep boys from being sissies.

It should come as no surprise that half our population is essentially non empathetic.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

5. I was taken as

Soon as I was born premature I was put in to an incubater
My mom was unconsious when I was born so no birthday cuddles from mom.

Back then babies in incubaters were not cuddled a lot. Plus I was significantly premature so I guess they couldn't take me out of the box alot.

Later when I came home,the house was abusive and mom had post partum depression.it was violent.

When I was two and 3 we had a pekinese dog Bijoux. I still remember her. Before I was born mom says Bijoux would sleep next to me on her belly and so would the cat. And I remember Nona too. She was a black cat. The cat spent a lot of time around me as a baby and young kid.

I am glad I didnt turn out to be an authoritarian asshole. Maybe Bijoux and Nona made sure that didn't happen to me.

If that first 3 years of life thing is true I should be a horrible monster. Why I didnt turn out like that is a mystery.

Maybe I really was raised by cats and dogs.

[vanlassie]

6. This is not black and white, as I'm sure you know.

It is often mentioned that there may have been just one person- relative, neighbor, someone… who connects with a child in a way that lets them know that they matter. As a cultural practice, however, neglect of legitimate needs in the earliest years can cause irreparable harm, in an inability to empathize with others. It’s Trump’s flaw, but, it’s rampant. In the GOP for sure.
Sounds like you are lucky and who knows- animals are often very nurturing!

[andym]

4. Of these, the culture wars have their deepest roots in an appeal to conventionalism

Conventionalism has been the source of the GOP's strongest appeal to the masses in recent decades, especially through its connection to traditional values and being anti-"woke". It's a key reason why the GOP is so-focused on the Supreme Court.