Teenagers Displaying Authoritarian Tendencies Demonstrate Lower Levels of Cognitive Skills and Emotional Understanding
Teenage authoritarianism isn't just about political leanings. It's about a young person's ability to understand and manage their emotions, according to a study published in the Journal of Personality.
In this eye-opening research, adolescents with lower emotional and cognitive abilities were found to be significantly more likely to adopt rigid, conformist, and hierarchical worldviews, regardless of their political views being left or right-leaning.
Shockingly, emotional intelligence was even more predictive of authoritarianism than raw IQ. For instance, a 16-year-old struggling with emotional cues and frustration regulation could potentially develop ideologies demanding strict social rules and unwavering loyalty to authority.
So, why should we care about teenage ideologies? Adolescence is a crucial phase for political ideologies to cement, setting the foundation for beliefs often persisting into adulthood. Until now, most studies assumed this process only begins after higher education and adult responsibilities. However, this study challenges that notion.
The researchers, from Ghent University in Belgium, analyzed 507 adolescents aged 15 to 22 and found that lower cognitive ability correlated with stronger authoritarian leanings, but emotional ability had an even stronger link across all three ideological scales. This means that emotionally challenged teens are more likely to gravitate towards any belief system that promises order, structure, or nonconformity punishment.
Interestingly, when emotional abilities were incorporated into statistical models, the impact of cognitive abilities essentially disappeared, suggesting that emotional skills mediate the connection between intelligence and ideology. In simpler terms, emotional skills, not just intelligence, play a significant role in shaping a political mindset.
This study raises an important question: is authoritarianism exclusive to the political right? Surprisingly, both right- and left-wing authoritarians shared similar core psychological deficits: low emotional intelligence, limited cognitive flexibility, and a higher need for conformity. This breaks a common assumption that progressivism is automatically synonymous with openness, flexibility, and empathy.
To sum up, emotional skills are not just soft skills; they are a powerful force in shaping our worldview. By teaching empathy, conflict resolution, and emotional regulation, we can help our young generation avoid falling into the trap of authoritarianism, building a political mindset that can navigate complexity without resorting to simplistic, authoritarian solutions. This radical political education starts by teaching them not just how to argue but also how to empathize.
- Despite the focus on political leanings, this study highlights that emotional and cognitive abilities play a significant role in shaping a teenager's political ideology, influencing their tendency towards authoritarian beliefs.
- The realization from this research is that emotional intelligence, not just higher education and self-development, is crucial in fostering a political mindset that promotes empathy, conflict resolution, and adaptability, thereby discouraging authoritarian tendencies in adolescents.
