Study finds link between Trump supporters and “malevolent disposition.”

[MDC 7,505]

The research, led by psychologist Craig Neumann of the University of North Texas, examined whether certain personality traits—those associated with callousness, manipulation, and even enjoyment of others’ suffering—correlate with conservative ideology and support for Trump. The findings are striking: people who view Trump favorably are more likely to score higher on measures of malevolent traits and lower on empathy and compassion.

The study analyzed responses from over 9,000 U.S. adults in two large surveys conducted before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants completed questionnaires that assessed their political beliefs, empathy levels, and personality traits. The results consistently showed a pattern: the more favorably someone rated Trump, the more likely they were to display traits like narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy—traits grouped under what researchers call a malevolent disposition.

The reverse also held true. Participants who scored higher on benevolent traits like humanism, faith in humanity, and respect for others tended to oppose Trump and lean politically liberal.

Link

 

[Ron_Artest 1,590]

Yup, we see it here every day.

[Mike Honcho 5,299]

13 minutes ago, Ron_Artest said:

Yup, we see it here every day.

That's probably why his link just went back to this site. 

[EternalShinyAndChrome 4,148]

Are there any of the links that can confirm your bias? 

Because over the last decade we've seen the exact opposite of what this study says.  

[Hardcore troubadour 15,517]

UNT offers a degree in jazz. Meatloaf is one of its notable alumni. They say Obamas meatloaf crack was what spurred DJT to launch his campaign and eventual victory.  

[Strike 5,594]

Bet you didn't read the actual study @MDC, just the article.  I took a brief look at the actual study and this is the first paragraph of the introduction:

Quote

Donald Trump has radically reshaped the nature of U.S. conservativism (Barber & Pope, 2019), moving the GOP toward authoritarianism (Knuckey & Hassan, 2022) and political unrest such as the January 6th (J6) assault at the United States Capitol (Dugan & Fisher, 2023). The J6 event was planned and targeted violence for political gain (Dugan & Fisher, 2023) with most Americans viewing Trump as responsibile (Gramlich, 2022). His role in J6, a litany of business failures (Hiltzik, 2022) and legally adjudicated cases against him (Graham, 2025) would destroy most politicians, yet some people view Trump favorably. His popularity can be understood in part via the links between conservative political ideology with right-wing authoritarianism and social dominance orientation (de Oliveira Santos and Jost, 2024, Womick et al., 2019). However, the shifting sands of conservativism in the U.S. suggests that other factors may also be at play. Using a structural equation modeling (SEM) approach, we examined whether dispositions reflecting malevolent (aversive) features and the relative absence of benevolent (affiliative) features and empathy were associated with conservative ideology and views of Trump.¹

Sounds like a truly unbiased and reliable study to me!!!!!  NOT!

[The Real timschochet 6,860]

7 minutes ago, Strike said:

Bet you didn't read the actual study @MDC, just the article.  I took a brief look at the actual study and this is the first paragraph of the introduction:

Sounds like a truly unbiased and reliable study to me!!!!!  NOT!

But entirely accurate. Which part of that intro was false? 

[Strike 5,594]

2 minutes ago, The Real timschochet said:

But entirely accurate. Which part of that intro was false? 

If I have to explain it to you you're not a serious poster.  Oh right, I already knew that.  

[The Real timschochet 6,860]

Just now, Strike said:

If I have to explain it to you you're not a serious poster.  Oh right, I already knew that.  

Choose a single sentence that you think is  inaccurate and explain why. 

[Grace Under Pressure 121]

Was the study conducted by Captain Obvious? 

For these findings, they could have just gone on the Internet for 15 minutes and saved whatever money the study cost. 

Next study’s findings: “The more someone supports Donald Trump personally, the more likely they are to be a cult follower. Also the sky is blue.”

[HellToupee 1,824]

The participants of the study consisted of liberal women and low T men

[MDC 7,505]

MAGAs are ass holes. Get out!  

[EternalShinyAndChrome 4,148]

13 minutes ago, Grace Under Pressure said:

Was the study conducted by Captain Obvious? 

For these findings, they could have just gone on the Internet for 15 minutes and saved whatever money the study cost. 

Next study’s findings: “The more someone supports Donald Trump personally, the more likely they are to be a cult follower. Also the sky is blue.”

Oh boy, as if this isn't the pot calling the kettle black.

[WhiteWonder 2,767]

1 hour ago, MDC said:

The research, led by psychologist Craig Neumann of the University of North Texas, examined whether certain personality traits—those associated with callousness, manipulation, and even enjoyment of others’ suffering—correlate with conservative ideology and support for Trump. The findings are striking: people who view Trump favorably are more likely to score higher on measures of malevolent traits and lower on empathy and compassion.

The study analyzed responses from over 9,000 U.S. adults in two large surveys conducted before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants completed questionnaires that assessed their political beliefs, empathy levels, and personality traits. The results consistently showed a pattern: the more favorably someone rated Trump, the more likely they were to display traits like narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy—traits grouped under what researchers call a malevolent disposition.

The reverse also held true. Participants who scored higher on benevolent traits like humanism, faith in humanity, and respect for others tended to oppose Trump and lean politically liberal.

Link

 

the first thing I noticed was that the person writing this article wants to present it like its a scientific finding but normally that would be something that is done with no overtones of bias, which fails in the very first paragraph. I understand the author is not someone who conducted this "research" and is just talking about it, but still when it comes to these kinds of topics i'd expect to maybe not know what side of the aisle the author stands on.

 Then I was waiting to read some data... because its a "study"... but they didn't want to (maybe couldn't) put any actual data into the article, so I guess i'd have to subscribe to and read the Journal of Research into Personality.

The last thing i'll say is that people seem to often present themselves in a way that matches their agendas (not just when it comes to politics) so it wouldn't at all surprise me if the dem/libs that were studied would obviously put on a front of being super benevolent. We see board libs here pretending to be benevolent all day everyday (and then sometimes admitting they are nothing more than trolls).

It also does not shock me that Trump supporters are more likely to be pompous, uncaring, etc. The people we gravitate toward tend to be at least minor reflections of some of our own traits. Probably why many libs are so quick to eat up what their media spoon feeds them and why they gravitated toward Kamala. 

not caring about others or pretending to care about others. idk which is worse. 

[RaiderHaters Revenge 4,363]

TDS is strong in these retards 

[Hardcore troubadour 15,517]

20 minutes ago, Grace Under Pressure said:

Was the study conducted by Captain Obvious? 

For these findings, they could have just gone on the Internet for 15 minutes and saved whatever money the study cost. 

Next study’s findings: “The more someone supports Donald Trump personally, the more likely they are to be a cult follower. Also the sky is blue.”

Who is this effeminate cuck? 

[Sandy Loam 154]

1 hour ago, Ron_Artest said:

Yup, we see it here every day.

Look no further than HT wishing rape upon your daughter and for my sons to die in war, and then he beats his ape chest and tries to deny it. 

[Hardcore troubadour 15,517]

[squistion 2,227]

1 hour ago, Ron_Artest said:

Yup, we see it here every day.

I was about to say anyone who frequents this forum could have told you that (just look at the Alligator Alcatraz thread). 

[HellToupee 1,824]

5 minutes ago, Hardcore troubadour said:

Congrats. You’re living rent free.

[Hardcore troubadour 15,517]

Just now, HellToupee said:

Congrats. You’re living rent free.

The courts have awarded me custody. 

[5-Points 3,574]

We're mad as hell and we're not going to take it anymore. 

[Sandy Loam 154]

1 hour ago, Hardcore troubadour said:

UNT offers a degree in jazz. Meatloaf is one of its notable alumni. They say Obamas meatloaf crack was what spurred DJT to launch his campaign and eventual victory.  

So? It has a huge and highly regarded music department. It's OK for people to want to be jazz musicians, jazz teachers or jazz-band leaders. 

 

[TimHauck 2,922]

44 minutes ago, HellToupee said:

The participants of the study consisted of liberal women and low T men

Low T men support Trump?

[Horseman 2,489]

9 minutes ago, Sandy Loam said:

So? It has a huge and highly regarded music department. It's OK for people to want to be jazz musicians, jazz teachers or jazz-band leaders. 

 

List one that got their job because of their jazz degree. 

[TimHauck 2,922]

6 minutes ago, Horseman said:

List one that got their job because of their jazz degree. 

Jose Aponte, principal lecturer at the University of North Texas

[Sandy Loam 154]

22 minutes ago, Horseman said:

List one that got their job because of their jazz degree. 

Quote

Here are some of the most famous UNT jazz alumni:

• Norah Jones: A Grammy-winning vocalist who majored in jazz piano and sang with the UNT Jazz Singers. 
   
• Don Henley: A Grammy-winning singer, musician, and member of The Eagles. 
   
• Bob Dorough: A jazz musician, composer, and music director for the Schoolhouse Rock! series. 
   
• Tom "Bones" Malone: A trombonist and arranger, known for his work with the Saturday Night Live band and the Late Show with David Letterman. 
   
• Ari Hoenig: A professional jazz drummer. 
   
• Peter Weller: An actor who also played the trumpet in UNT's jazz bands. 
   
• John Abercrombie: A jazz guitarist.
   
• David Hungate: A bassist.

[SUXBNME 1,519]

36 minutes ago, TimHauck said:

Low T men support Trump?

Do you? 

[patweisers44 848]

I'll own it..i wish ill will upon people as necessary.  I dont state it out loud that often, but....

[jerryskids 6,846]

1 hour ago, Grace Under Pressure said:

Was the study conducted by Captain Obvious? 

For these findings, they could have just gone on the Internet for 15 minutes and saved whatever money the study cost. 

Next study’s findings: “The more someone supports Donald Trump personally, the more likely they are to be a cult follower. Also the sky is blue.”

Leftists are much more likely to exhibit cult-like behaviors.  In general Leftists think they are too smart to believe in God.  Unfortunately, people have an innate need to believe in SOMETHING, so they move to non-religious idols.  Examples can be found within the ranks of climate change, transing kids, queers for palestine, SJP, BLM, Antifa.

HTH

[EternalShinyAndChrome 4,148]

3 minutes ago, jerryskids said:

Leftists are much more likely to exhibit cult-like behaviors.  In general Leftists think they are too smart to believe in God.  Unfortunately, people have an innate need to believe in SOMETHING, so they move to non-religious idols.  Examples can be found within the ranks of climate change, transing kids, queers for palestine, SJP, BLM, Antifa.

HTH

Yeah, a far-left nut job like Ghey Under Pressure pointing fingers and saying "those other guys are in a cult" is absolutely some of the best shtick and absurdity that a leftist can do.

And then doubling down and saying it's the right that's more malevolent considering how many cities they've burned down, people they've killed/assaulted, businesses they've looted and children they've shot up - and this just in the last 10-15 years.  Let's not forget about the BLM/Antifa Dallas Cop killings either.

But, yeah, it's the Trump guys. 

[TimHauck 2,922]

6 minutes ago, jerryskids said:

Leftists are much more likely to exhibit cult-like behaviors.  In general Leftists think they are too smart to believe in God.  Unfortunately, people have an innate need to believe in SOMETHING, so they move to non-religious idols.  Examples can be found within the ranks of climate change, transing kids, queers for palestine, SJP, BLM, Antifa.

HTH

Those aren’t “idols.”  What is SJP?

[jerryskids 6,846]

3 minutes ago, EternalShinyAndChrome said:

Yeah, a far-left nut job like Ghey Under Pressure pointing fingers and saying "those other guys are in a cult" is absolutely some of the best shtick and absurdity that a leftist can do.

And then doubling down and saying it's the right that's more malevolent considering how many cities they've burned down, people they've killed/assaulted, businesses they've looted and this just in the last 10-15 years.  Let's not forget about the BLM/Antifa Dallas Cop killings either.

But, yeah, it's the Trump guys. 

I like this paragraph:

Quote

Research on authoritarian attitudes has focused on individual differences in right-wing authoritarianism (RWA; Osborne et al., 2023; Vargas-Salfate et al., 2020; Fischer et al., 2012) and social dominance orientation (SDO; Fischer et al., 2012). The former involves a dangerous world view which leads to preferences for social control and conformity and the latter a competitive world view that elicits preference for social hierarchies (Perry et al., 2013). RWA and SDO are positively correlated contemporaneously and longitudinally (Osborne et al., 2021; Perry et al., 2013) and both RWA and SDO are used to explain political and prejudicial ideology (Duckitt & Sibley, 2010). Given Trump’s dystopian views (PBS, 2025), it is understandable that RWA and SDO are associated with ideology favorable toward Trump (Womick et al., 2019).

Apparently, I suffer from RWA because I believe that there are moral absolutes and that we should encourage and enforce them.  And I suffer from SDO because I think our society is superior to, say, one that encourages death to all infidels, and marries girls off at 12 yrs old after castrating them and stuffing them in a full body burka.

I need help.   

[EternalShinyAndChrome 4,148]

Headline: "Scientists" who hate Conservatives have created a study determining conservatives bad.   

[jerryskids 6,846]

2 minutes ago, TimHauck said:

Those aren’t “idols.”  What is SJP?

SJP is Students for Justice in Palestine.  They are a radical group of anti-zionists and Pro-Hamas students.  The ones who, when they yell "from the river to the sea," know exactly what it means.

Mother earth/Gaia is not an idol?  

[TimHauck 2,922]

6 minutes ago, EternalShinyAndChrome said:

Yeah, a far-left nut job like Ghey Under Pressure pointing fingers and saying "those other guys are in a cult" is absolutely some of the best shtick and absurdity that a leftist can do.

And then doubling down and saying it's the right that's more malevolent considering how many cities they've burned down, people they've killed/assaulted, businesses they've looted and children they've shot up - and this just in the last 10-15 years.  Let's not forget about the BLM/Antifa Dallas Cop killings either.

But, yeah, it's the Trump guys. 

Lol what a terrible post.

1) resorting to homophobic name calling helps prove the study author’s theory

2) “leftists” weren’t the ones that committed most of the violence during the 2020 riots, those were mostly criminals that have probably never noted

3) lol at giving a couple examples of serious crimes that leftists have committed, but ignoring ones that righties have.  The OP isn’t about violence anyway, both sides of course will have some violent crazies 

 

[BiffTannen 975]

I’m not surprised. I’m the most self-centered, narcissistic, would watch someone burn alive before I took the time to piss on them person this world has ever produced and I will vote for Trump a 4th time in 2028. 

[EternalShinyAndChrome 4,148]

Whoa...sh#t.  Look at this.  Turns out it's the left who's in a cult based on this also scientific article:

https://nypost.com/2024/11/15/us-news/sociologist-calls-the-left-a-cult-as-liberals-avoid-republican-family-for-the-holidays/

"A sociologist criticized calls on the left for Americans to cut off family members and other loved ones who voted for President-elect Donald Trump, saying such measures were extreme and unhealthy for society.

“I don’t think that’s a great piece of advice. I mean, it sounds like a cult,” Brad Wilcox, a sociology professor and director of the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia, told Fox News Digital.

“Cults often encourage people to cut off their family and friends just to kind of keep people within the cult. So I don’t take that advice as worth following,” he added."

[BiffTannen 975]

I also remember a thread several years back at the place down the street. The place that unfortunately we had to adopt their homos. They wanted to know if put in a position to save your dogs life or a random human, what would you do?  I’d save a random dog over a random human, I would kill the person myself to save my own. 

[Horseman 2,489]

1 hour ago, Sandy Loam said:

Wow, look at all those musicians. Had no idea you could just go get a degree without any talent and land a job playing jazz