The Influences Of Personality In American Politics

Words: 1243
Pages: 5
Open Document
Today in American politics, partisan antipathy has significantly risen. According to Pew Research Republicans who have an unfavorable opinion of the Democratic Party has climbed from 17% to 43% in the last 20 years. Similarly, with Democrats, their unfavorable opinion of Republicans has more than doubled from 16% to 38%. The founding fathers warned the American people on multiple occasions about the dangers of a divided nation. In the early 19th century the American President, Abraham Lincoln, said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.”. That said, it can easily be understood why the American people must unite and understand their differences better. To understand a person’s ideology, it must be understood what causes a person to think …show more content…
Like all human behavior, political behavior is influenced by many factors. Some are external, such as the surrounding family and friends, current political system, occurrence of an economic downturn, and the ruling class such as powerful media corporations and politicians. With the external factors in mind, most individuals would assume that personalities are best conceived as personal character rather than external forces bestowed on an individual. To completely understand how personality affects political ideology, one must understand both personality and what influences personality. Personality can be defined as the multifaceted and enduring internal, or psychological, structure that influences patterns of behavior (Mondak, 2010). To further explain the definition, individuals are not assigned their personalities; it is who they are. Also, it cannot me measured directly. Personality is measured indirectly with outside information about the general patterns assumed to be related to different components of personality. Lastly, it is crucial to understand that personality is highly heritable. Meaning much of the variety in personality is rooted in biology (e.g., Riemann, Angleitner, & Strelau, …show more content…
It refers to curiosity about the world, ambition to learn about opposing perspectives, and to try new activities. Individuals scoring high in openness are characterized as being creative, analytical, and imaginative. Individuals possessing this trait tend to be well-informed (Mondak, 2010). However, these individuals often show to being willing to take risk, such as experimenting with drugs and alcohol. (Booth-Kewley & Vickers, 1994)
Conscientiousness is a trait dimension that is prevalent in individuals that tend to be organized, punctual, hardworking, and industrious. These individuals strive to do what is right. People high in conscientiousness mostly live healthy lifestyles, and avoid personal risk (Booth- Kewley & Vickers, 1994) Extraversion is the personality trait dimension found in individuals that are very social. They are bold, outgoing, and talkative. (e.g., Barrick & Mount,
Show More

Related Documents: The Influences Of Personality In American Politics

Summary Of Revolution Against Empire Justin Du Rivage

Erik Dickerson 1/9/18 Dr. Charles Levine History 103 Book Review: The book I chose to read was Revolution Against Empire: Taxes, Politics, and the Origins of American Independence. The book was written by Justin du Rivage. Rivage graduated magna cum laude, and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa fraternity at Pomona College where he earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree. He then went on to attend the University of Cambridge where he earned his Master of Philosophy degree. Eventually he decided to attended…

Words 744 - Pages 3

How Does Television's Influence Politics

In transition the television had the largest effect on mass media in the areas of politics, advertising and entertainment. As Lonesome popularity began to increase he received an offer to take his talents to the television screen in Memphis, Tennessee. As Rhodes and Marcia settle into their new lives he finds it difficult to adapt to a camera being in his face, and being told what to say by his writer Mel Miller, but in a matter of minutes he starts to adlibe and do what Lonesome does best. He…

Words 882 - Pages 4

Media and Politics: Agenda Setting and Framing Essay example

New coverage is reduced to personality contests and mud slinging. Complicated issues and events often are trivialized into easily dramatized conflicts between personalities, and slanderous ad campaigns. The mediated campaigns have little effect on public opinion about candidate's issues and policies, but influence public perception of candidate's image. (Weaver, 1996) Conclusion The media uses several methods to shape…

Words 857 - Pages 4

Essay on WTP 8e TX Ch06

issue, and thus are open to influence Understanding Public Opinion Understanding Public Opinion • Public Opinion: the values and attitudes that people have about issues, events, and personalities • Values (or beliefs): a person’s basic orientations to politics • Political Ideology: a cohesive set of beliefs that form a general philosophy about government • Attitude (or opinion): specific view about a particular issue, personality or event Political Values • Most Americans share a belief in a common…

Words 1395 - Pages 6

Margaret Mead Culture And Personality School Analysis

Margaret Mead's position within modern American anthropology is a little strange. She is widely respected as someone who was determined in defining anthropology, establishing its boundaries both within the academy and within public understanding, and shaping the course it has followed today. At the same time, nobody seriously engages with her work, and the main framework she worked in, the Culture and Personality School, is generally considered to be simple and poor. So, why do people still look…

Words 571 - Pages 3

Influence Of Media On Politics

Media in Politics Today, media sources are at an all-time high in both outreach and influence on their audiences. For the majority of people, politics is something that is mainly observed through media sources, rather than directly. The whole idea of news media, as it relates to politics, is to allow people to have easier access to what is going on in the political world, and to make it easier for them to participate in political decisions. However, with the plethora of media sources today, media…

Words 1759 - Pages 8

Character Analysis: All The Kings Men

fortieth governor of Louisiana, brings an interesting perspective on Populism, politics and fascism in the twentieth century. One of the main characters, Willie Stark, transforms from a small-town lawyer with no chance in a serious political race to a fiercely competitive, intimidating leader. While it is often difficult to see how a man such as Huey Long with fascist ideals could come to power, Willie Stark’s influence obtained by power becomes extremely apparent throughout his different types of…

Words 667 - Pages 3

Benjamin Franklin Research Paper

person has had a greater impact in American history than the one, and only, Benjamin Franklin. His entire career spent as a politician, writer, scientist, inventor, and diplomat was carried to an incredibly high standard and heavily impacted the United States. The biography "Benjamin Franklin: "Inventing America" by Edwin S. Gaustaddiscovers different aspects of this interesting person, and offers an extensive and worthily illustrated outline of his life and personality. Franklin’s life story is painted…

Words 631 - Pages 3

Multiculturalism: Literature and Baldwin Essay

my personal researches and critical practice in the field of postmodernism, particularly within the area of postmodernist poetry. There has been a critical interest in political and cultural issues of race, difference and identity in the African-American poetry since the late eighties of the twentieth century. However, little attention has been given to James Baldwin's poetry and its aesthetical side. My PhD project underpins the issues of race, difference, identity and technique in Baldwin's poetry…

Words 1793 - Pages 8

John F. Kennedy's Legacy

good of the American people. With the support of the Fitzgerald name, the rigor to live this dream grew stronger from generation to generation. A family dream would become a reality leaving John and Robert Kennedy to live up to the standards. These Kennedy brothers each had such political poise and knowledge that allowed them to thrive in American politics even with the short period of time they were given. John Fitzgerald Kennedy’s short presidency shed a great amount of hope upon Americans. Mrs. Jacqueline…

Words 1798 - Pages 8