Proposing a multi-dimensional, context-sensitive approach to the study of ideological (a)symmetry in emotion

Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, vol. 34, pp. 75–80

Abstract

Political psychologists studying ideology have been increasingly examining its relationship with emotion. Much of this work has focused on potential ideological differences in the intensity of emotional experiences, leading to conflicting findings. Some work has supported the perspective according to which fundamental psychological differences exist between ideological leftists and rightists, while other work has challenged this view, demonstrating ideological symmetry in emotion. The present review highlights recent advances that can shed further light on this debate, adopting a multi-dimensional, context-sensitive approach to the study of ideological differences in emotional processes. Accordingly, we propose that instead of asking whether or not ideological differences in emotion exist, researchers should ask when, in what ways, and under what circumstances they exist.

Authors 3

1. Ruthie Pliskin corresponding Aachen

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden University, Wassenaarseweg 52, 2333AK Leiden, The Netherlands

2. Anat Ruhrman Aachen

   Leiden University · Hebrew University of Jerusalem

   Affiliation as printed

   Hebrew University, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem 9190501, Israel

   Leiden University, Wassenaarseweg 52, 2333AK Leiden, The Netherlands

3. Eran Halperin

   Hebrew University of Jerusalem

   Affiliation as printed

   Hebrew University, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem 9190501, Israel