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Have you ever wondered why politicians often resort to lying and denying when faced with a political scandal? A recent study conducted by a political scientist from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln suggests that this behavior may be driven by the desire to maintain political power and in-group status among their supporters, even at the cost of credibility.
Pierce Ekstrom, an assistant professor of political science at Nebraska, explains, “Our research aims to explore whether politicians are encouraged by their followers to deny allegations and avoid facing consequences for their actions.”
He further adds, “There is a strong societal norm, especially within political parties, to stand by their leaders. The more essential a politician is perceived to be for the party, the more dedicated their supporters are in defending them, regardless of the circumstances.”
The study titled “On the Defensive: Identity, Language and Partisan Reactions to Political Scandal,” authored by Ekstrom and his team, delves into the dynamics of how individuals react to political scandals based on their partisan affiliations. The research, published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, also includes contributions from experts at various institutions.
While in personal life, admitting to wrongdoing and seeking forgiveness may be considered ethical, the study reveals that many individuals are willing to overlook dishonest denials from politicians, especially if the politician holds significant power within their party. This finding was consistent across three experiments conducted since 2013.
2024-06-13 01:15:03
Link from phys.org