The surprising psychology behind extremism, and how politics is driving it

Science Weekly

The Guardian

Science

4.2 • 1K Ratings

🗓️ 27 June 2024

⏱️ 17 minutes

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Summary

Psychologists usually expect ambivalence to be a driver of political apathy. But a new study appears to show a link between ambivalence in our views and the likelihood that we’ll support extremist actions. Madeleine Finlay speaks to the study’s co-author Richard Petty, professor of psychology at Ohio State University, to find out what pushes people to take extreme actions, how politics could be driving this behaviour and how it could be combated. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

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0:00.0	This is the Guardian. So, so, so skin.
0:18.0	Get your morning mojo going with Mullah like Greek style.
0:27.0	Now with a new recipe, with Vitamin B6 and Vitamin D. Let's have it! Mull-a-light, at the polling stations. We've already seen an election in the most populous country in the world.
0:42.0	The exit polls predicted a B.J.P. Landslai. in the most populous country in the world.
0:42.8	The exit polls predicted a B.J.P. landslide,
0:45.2	but the Indian voter had other plans.
0:47.5	EU citizens have cast their votes.
0:50.5	The world's largest transnational democratic exercise has now concluded.
0:56.0	The UK will be crossing the ballot papers next week.
0:59.0	We could do the country better than that lot.
1:02.0	When you say that lot?
1:03.2	That lot.
1:04.2	All of them.
1:05.2	Kistama, has she seen that?
1:06.2	Oh God, no, no, no, no, no, no.
1:08.6	The whole lot.
1:09.8	Whole lot.
1:18.8	And tonight brings the first 2024 debate between President Joe Biden and ex-President Donald Trump.
1:19.8	Nobody's going to be watching the debate on Thursday night, right?
1:22.2	No bother. to be watching the debate on Thursday night, right?
1:22.5	No bother?
1:24.8	But one thing connects all these elections,
	...

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