TY - JOUR
T1 - Radicalized Trump supporters: Construing, identity fusion, and hypothetical and actual extremism
AU - Mason, Clare
AU - Winter, David
AU - Schmeer, Stefanie
AU - Bell, Richard
N1 - © 2024 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, to view a copy of the license, see: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
PY - 2024/9/16
Y1 - 2024/9/16
N2 - In May 2021, four months after the fatal insurrection of the ‘Save America’ rally at Capitol Hill, 420 supporters of Donald Trump participated in an online study. Although it was not possible to recruit specifically for those involved, a subsample reported being present and active in the insurrection (n = 38), with several involved in the storming of the Capitol Building (n = 28). Individuals’ construing was examined through repertory grid technique, combined with measures of fusion to the group and willingness to undertake hypothetical extreme pro-group actions. Relatively low cognitive complexity was observed in those actually or hypothetically willing to be involved in the most extreme actions, suggesting that they were the least able to adapt to the world around them. A more positive and meaningful view of the self was developed on becoming a Trump supporter, and fellow Trump supporters were construed more positively than anti-Trump activists. Repertory grid and fusion scores were associated with both actual and hypothetical extreme action. Findings assist in the advancement of understanding why some individuals undertake extreme acts on behalf of a political leader, whilst others do not. With political environments becoming increasingly polarized around the globe, such knowledge is vital.
AB - In May 2021, four months after the fatal insurrection of the ‘Save America’ rally at Capitol Hill, 420 supporters of Donald Trump participated in an online study. Although it was not possible to recruit specifically for those involved, a subsample reported being present and active in the insurrection (n = 38), with several involved in the storming of the Capitol Building (n = 28). Individuals’ construing was examined through repertory grid technique, combined with measures of fusion to the group and willingness to undertake hypothetical extreme pro-group actions. Relatively low cognitive complexity was observed in those actually or hypothetically willing to be involved in the most extreme actions, suggesting that they were the least able to adapt to the world around them. A more positive and meaningful view of the self was developed on becoming a Trump supporter, and fellow Trump supporters were construed more positively than anti-Trump activists. Repertory grid and fusion scores were associated with both actual and hypothetical extreme action. Findings assist in the advancement of understanding why some individuals undertake extreme acts on behalf of a political leader, whilst others do not. With political environments becoming increasingly polarized around the globe, such knowledge is vital.
KW - Trump, activist, radicalization, constructivist, repertory grid, identity fusion, extreme pro-group behavior, political violence
U2 - 10.1080/10720537.2024.2394075
DO - 10.1080/10720537.2024.2394075
M3 - Article
SN - 1072-0537
SP - 1
EP - 30
JO - Journal of Constructivist Psychology
JF - Journal of Constructivist Psychology
M1 - 2394075
ER -