Mediational role of values in linking personality traits to political orientation

Gianvittorio Caprara*, Michele Vecchione, Shalom H. Schwartz

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

47 Scopus citations

Abstract

Two studies use the Five Factor Model of traits and Schwartz's (1992) theory of basic personal values to assess the mediational role of values in linking traits to voting choice and left-right ideology. Both left- and right-wing voters showed distinctive traits and values that were congruent with their ideologies. Structural equation modelling supported a hypothesized full mediation model. Individuals' traits of openness, conscientiousness and agreeableness explained significant variance in the politically relevant values of security and universalism, and these self-reported values, in turn, explained the voters' political orientations. These findings held across age (adolescents and adults) and were corroborated using both cross-sectional and longitudinal data.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)82-94
Number of pages13
JournalAsian Journal of Social Psychology
Volume12
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2009

Keywords

  • Basic values
  • Mediation
  • Personality traits
  • Politics
  • Voting

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