Evolutionary theory and political leadership: Why certain people do not trust decision makers

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dc.contributor.authorSmith, Kevin B.
dc.contributor.authorLarimer, Christopher W.
dc.contributor.authorLittvay, Levente
dc.contributor.authorHibbing, John R.
dc.contributor.unitDepartment of Political Science
dc.date.available2022-03-29T08:41:41Z
dc.date.issued2007
dc.description.abstractCentral to social systems are the attitudes of the rank and file toward those who make political decisions (leaders), and attitudes toward leaders are known to be characterized by two fundamental features. First, the modal attitude is acceptance of the necessity of leaders coupled with acute aversion to leaders who are believed to be motivated by ambition and avarice; second, people are highly variable with some being markedly more sensitive than others to the traits of leaders. But the theoretical basis for these empirical facts has yet to be fully elucidated. In this article, we offer such a theory by drawing on biological evolution and then, using a series of laboratory experiments, provide an empirical test of it. Results are fully consistent with evolutionary theory in showing that people are indeed generally sensitive to leadership traits threatening to the larger group even as certain, expected individuals are a good deal more sensitive than others.
dc.description.urihttp://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=24669649&site=ehost-live
dc.identifier.doi10.1111/j.1468-2508.2007.00532.x
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14018/9414
dc.language.isoeng
dc.source.epage299
dc.source.issue2
dc.source.journaltitleJournal of Politics
dc.source.spage285
dc.source.volume69
dc.titleEvolutionary theory and political leadership: Why certain people do not trust decision makers
dc.typeJournal article
dspace.entity.typePublication
refterms.dateFOA2022-03-29T08:41:41Z
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