In 2003, the American Psychological Association published a meta-analysis of 88 studies about the psychology of political conservatism. The literature reviewed compared the “cognitive style” and the “motivational needs” of conservatives with those of other political groups.
The authors also reviewed research on “dogmatism and intolerance of ambiguity, uncertainty avoidance, need for cognitive closure, and social dominance orientation” and how each of these psychological characteristics contributes to political conservatism.
The analysis concluded that the psychological qualities associated with conservatism include fear and aggression, dogmatism and intolerance of ambiguity, uncertainty avoidance, need for cognitive closure, personal need for structure, terror management, group-based dominance, and system justification.
We regard political conservatism as an ideological belief system that is significantly related to motivational concerns having to do with the psychological management of uncertainty and fear.
John T. Jost, et. al.
Resistance to Change
The core ideology of conservatism stresses resistance to change and justification of inequality.
John T. Jost, et. al.
The psychological need of conservatives to manage uncertainty and fear leads them to resist change. They prefer the status quo. They are wary of anyone or anything new. They prefer familiar faces, places, and ideas. They don’t like Progressives because Progressives want to change things.
Conservatives also do not appreciate ambiguity. They prefer ideas and opinions that are black and white, yes or no, my way or the highway. This can lead them to be quite dogmatic and unwilling to listen to other ideas or opinions.
The conservative psychological need to avoid uncertainty and to obtain cognitive closure can cause them to become provincial and narrow-minded. Yet their insecurity causes them to be self-protective and defensive. So they present the attitude of being quite certain that their way of thinking and their opinions are the “correct” ones.
Justification of Inequality
Their fear of, and resistance to, change leads conservatives to support the inequalities and injustices of the status quo. They find ways to justify the current system. Rather than seeking solutions to the ongoing racial and economic problems in our country, they look longingly backward to an imaginary time when America was “great.”
The research shows that conservatives are oriented toward social dominance. They believe that certain groups of people are superior to others and that the “lesser” groups deserve fewer rights and privileges in society. Hence, they do not feel bad about their party’s efforts to restrict voting among the poor and people of color.
What does the Gospel say about these psychological qualities?
The Gospel of Jesus Christ addresses the psychological qualities of uncertainty and fear with hope and encouragement.
The Gospel teaches us to “Fear Not.” We have the Good News. “They that be with us are more than they that be with them” (2 Kings 6:16). There is no need to fear uncertainty, because Jesus is “the way” (John 14:6). We should stand tall and confident as agents for good in the world.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16
Yet, some people use the Gospel as place to hide. They cling to the outward ordinances of the Church rather than receive the “mighty change” in their hearts (Alma 5:12) that causes one to step out and actively seek to make the world a better place.
Though they can be loud and brash on the surface, these people are actually timid and afraid on the inside. This anxiety makes conservatives quite vulnerable to manipulation by evil and designing men. Their fear and insecurity can lead them to support authoritarian father figures who appear strong and claim to have all the answers.
In contrast, the Gospel asks us to step up and do good on our own, without being commanded. It encourages us to put our fears and uncertainty behind us.
For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.
Doctrine and Covenants 58:26-27
Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;
What does the Gospel say about conservative ideology?
The Gospel of Jesus Christ addresses the conservative ideology of resisting change and justifying inequality by calling for repentance.
The plan of the Gospel is not to defend the status quo. Its goal is to overthrow the current system of power and gain for the few and replace it with a system of equality and justice for all. The Church teaches us that the current system of the world belongs to Satan. To actively resist change is to fight against the very work of the Church.
The conservatives are wrong to be looking backward. We should be looking, and planning, and working, forward. We should be actively making things better, not wallowing in nostalgia for an imaginary past.
In addition, the Gospel absolutely does not justify the social or economic dominance of one group over another. Any type of racism, misogyny, or bigotry is absolutely contrary to the teachings of Jesus. God loves everyone equally, and so should we.
The core ideology of conservatism, resistance to change, and justifying inequality, is antithetical to the teachings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
And it came to pass in the commencement of the ninth year, Alma saw the wickedness of the church, and he saw also that the example of the church began to lead those who were unbelievers on from one piece of iniquity to another, thus bringing on the destruction of the people.
Alma 4:11-12
Yea, he saw great inequality among the people, some lifting themselves up with their pride, despising others, turning their backs upon the needy and the naked and those who were hungry, and those who were athirst, and those who were sick and afflicted.
Sources
John T. Jost, et. al., “Political Conservatism as Motivated Social Cognition,” American Psychological Association Bulletin, 2003, Vol. 129 No. 3, 339-375.
Paul Buchheit, “How Right-Wing Conservatives Have Laid Waste to America for 50 Years,” Common Dreams, December 14, 2020.
Umair Haque, “Are Americans Psychopaths?” Medium, December 18, 2020.
Tom Nichols, “Engaging With Trump’s Die-Hard Supporters Isn’t Productive,” The Atlantic, December 21, 2020.
Derek Thompson, “The Deep Story of Trumpism,” The Atlantic, December 29, 2020.
Seyward Darby, “There’s Nothing Fun or Funny About Marjorie Taylor Greene,” The Atlantic, February 9, 2021.
Well said, once again.
It makes perfect sense that the fear of change and justifying inequality go hand in hand.