Terror Management Theory

[chargirlgenius]

Warning, political content ahead. :-D

I am a liberal. I’m fairly moderate in some things, but certainly not in others. I’m very much a social liberal, and a little more fiscally conservative. I would rather see a few people live off of the system than see any starving children, so that probably makes me more liberal that center.

As liberal as I am, I do have to grant that the GOP is *much* better at the spin game and at politics, in general. Dems are much less likely to stick together as a party to get their political agenda passed. Not sure I particularly would want my government to be good at spin and politics, but there you have it.

Caveat: I understand that not everybody out there is as liberal as I am. I might think that people are wrong on certain things, but I respect their ability to hold their own viewpoints. I won’t call people names because of what they believe or how they want to vote. (In other words, I think the icon is funny, but I'm not calling my republican friends "damn republicans.") ;-)

One thing I’ve noticed about the GOP, is that they’re much more likely to talk about how great America is, how American workers are the hardest working in the world, and how strong the morals of are heartland are. They’re great cheerleaders. I’m not the only one who has noticed it – most of you are probably saying, “Duh! You bothered to post about this?”

I heard a piece on NPR a couple of weeks ago, and after listening to two debates since then, I realized that the GOP did, or could have, written their play book based on Terror Management Theory.

What is Terror Management Theory? No, it actually doesn’t have anything to do with terrorists. Simply put, TMT describes how humans cope with being faced with death or danger. The answers are complex, but can focus around religion, human interaction, attempting to feel good about oneself or a group, etc. When you fear for your life, you might find comfort in religion. You might find comfort following a leader who stresses your own good qualities. You might find meaning in these things.

The story on NPR described a study that tracked how people saw political candidates. They created two different types of candidates, who gave speeches to an audience. One candidate provided rational, well-thought out solutions to problems. The other candidate appealed to values, talked about the greatness of the group, etc. When reminded of their own mortality, the group voted overwhelmingly more for the value-focused candidate. Sound familiar?

Though it’s not often talked about, if you google Terror Management Theory and Terror Management Theory Politics, you’ll see a variety of references, blog posts, studies, etc. If you’re interested in reading more, I’ll let you sort through the evidence, and find the best peer-reviewed information, etc. It’s worth looking into more. I’m finding some discussion that some of these TMT studies are being funded by the Administration and the Department of Homeland Security. That could go some interesting places.

But knowing this, knowing that reminding people of dangers around them can make a value-driven candidate look more attractive, watch the debates. Watch the rhetoric from the conservatives. Watch how both sides approach issues (it might be hard – it’s starting to get ugly out there). Watch how McCain uses phrases like “American workers are the greatest in the world”, etc. Watch how he appeals to our identity, and our desire to be the best. Knowing about this can make listing to McCain/Palin almost comical.

Does that mean that everybody who votes republican is simply duped by psychology? Nah. Many hold values that match up more closely to the party. But there is a big segment of the population who votes their “gut”. Nothing wrong with that, but watch how McCain is trying to appeal to your gut. It suddenly becomes very transparent.

Comments

[hazebrouck.livejournal.com]

Very well put. Thank you.

[hazebrouck.livejournal.com]

Another thought. John McCain tells us we are the best workers in the world and Palin tells us that America is the strongest force for good in the world. My hairdresser always asks me if I have lost weight. I don't believe her, either.

[chargirlgenius.livejournal.com]

I think there is a much better and more nuanced way of dealing with the world, yet still believing that your country is a great place to live. In fact, if you ARE the best at something, it’s generally considered bad form to brag about it. There are ways of pushing your own agenda, yet negotiating and letting the other country/person feel like a valuable part of the process.

I think that’s a big part of what this “we’re the Greatest (tm)!” misses, the ability to let the rest of the world know that we can play nice.

[ladyaneira.livejournal.com]

Last time Grettir went to have his hair cut, the stylist ran her fingers through his hair and said, "Wow, your hair is still quite thick," then immediately tried to cover her gaffe. (Because she meant, quite obviously, "for a man your age.") And he's thinking to himself, "And your tip is still quite small." :-)

[hsifeng.livejournal.com]

When you fear for your life, you might find comfort in religion. You might find comfort following a leader who stresses your own good qualities. You might find meaning in these things.

Not to sound like a totally irrational conspiracy monger, but it is pretty well proven that the GOP has better 'think tanks' than the Dems do (so the Dems even have any?). The GOP has been using these brain trusts for years to help craft the parties image and rhetoric to focus on themes that will get them elected. Not policies that they intend to strengthen once in office mind you, but ideas that tug at "Middle America"'s heart strings. Banners waving, bands playing and people kissing babies; how could you not love someone who just wants you to know you are 'the best'?

I have to admit though, when McCain says that we are the hardest working people in the world; Why do I feel like he is talking about me like I am a farm tractor? "Nothing runs like an American!"

[chargirlgenius.livejournal.com]

It's always seemed to me to be a power to do what's best for the party, not what's best for the country.

I kind of *want* my party/government to be a little less well organized. I want senators to act like individuals.

[hsifeng.livejournal.com]

Right there with you sista: When all my representatives start marching in lock step I hear the strains of ‘Deutchland, Deutchland Uber Alles…”

[chargirlgenius.livejournal.com]

The “Department of Homeland Security” and “The Patriot Act” have always bothered me.

[hsifeng.livejournal.com]

See, that is your problem right there, you need to be more easily distracted by platitudes: When we appeal to your patriotism, you aren’t supposed to question our actions - that just isn’t American! (If only that last statement wasn’t so true….)

[chargirlgenius.livejournal.com]

Love the icon! It would be easier…

I started thinking about this another way. On the flip side, extremist regimes are quite happy with our “America is the greatest” rhetoric, and aggressive behavior. It creates fear in their populations, which are also more likely to accept a “values-based” regime.

(Certainly not suggesting that the GOP is as bad as some other regimes out there. Invariably, if you draw any parallels, people will pull up some story about how xyz country tortures children and show that your points are unacceptable because waterboarding is just not as bad as that…)

(and yes, this icon is very rude, but I'm amused by it)

[hsifeng.livejournal.com]

Strangely, not as rude as some of Palin’s grassroots worshippers…I mean…supporters…*erm*

There was a photo of a woman in Texas holding up a picture of a bulldog with a huge mess of lipstick on it. It was supposed to be complimentary I think (“That Sarah, she’s fierce and pretty chic too!”) but it came across as, “You can put lipstick on any animal and trot it out as the GOP VP choice and we’ll still vote for them!”

[teffan.livejournal.com]

911! Jesus wants us to vote republican! If you elect Obama, the terrorists win!!!!

[teffan.livejournal.com]

Thank you for posting this, makes me realize I'm not the only one who watches them rant about how great America/Americans are, sees the people in the audience who are thinking "YAY! I'm great! He told me I'm great so I'm gonna vote for him!" I like the idealistic view of America, but folks, it's broken right now and admitting it's broken is the first step towards fixing it; stuffing your heads in the sand and deluding yourselves into thinking everything is peachy isn't going to solve anything. I want someone in office who will cheer us when we deserve it and chastise us when it's needed (like now) to get us back on track. Damn my rational streak! ;) I just wonder if all those people who vote "because he makes me feel good about myself" are still gonna be so uplifted once we're all on the streets begging for handouts.... Wow, I guess I really do hate our "everybody is great and deserves trophies just for showing up" mentality...

But hey, at least we'll have 4 years of entertainment while we go bankrupt if the republicans win again....

[chargirlgenius.livejournal.com]

I’d always had this uncomfortable feeling in the back of my head when the “we’re great!” bluster started, but I never had a name for it. When I heard the story, I was practically jumping for glee that it wasn’t just me! Read more, and then watch the debates. Tonight if I’m home, are you up for the TMT drinking game?

[teffan.livejournal.com]

are you up for the TMT drinking game?

I should be. I've got a little sewing to do (simple hems) but otherwise it's just reading homework - and booze makes boring programming chapters go by MUCH faster :)

[smiep.livejournal.com]

can you forward me the drinking game rules? a few of my friends at work want to play along tonight :)

[chargirlgenius.livejournal.com]

It's been rather unofficial. I make a post, and then we all snark and drink. :-) I'll bet google would come up with something better. :-D

[pumaviking.livejournal.com]

i'm really glad there's a name for the whole thing. it bugs me, too.

[dragonazure.livejournal.com]

In corporate-speak, we refer to this as Marketing and Sales.... 8^/

[snolan.livejournal.com]

and marketing arms of technical companies are called "Smoke and Mirrors" (grin)

The language of manipulating others is very well established and has the longest traditions; going back thousands of years...

FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt) is what is often used to combat reason and to obfuscate the truth. Rove and his minions have proven very adept at FUD, but eventually there is a backlash. I think the beginning of the backlash is now and it will likely run decades.

[quodscripsi.livejournal.com]

This is why I generally distain democracy as nothing more then tyrany of the people.

The thing that either they or you missed is the impact of a variety of intersections of politics and psychology. One of the reasons you see so much positive rhetoric about America and the people is the work of the psychologist Martin Seligman who studies things like learned helplessness and Positive Psychology and basically deals with the importance of Optimistic Explanatory Style when dealing with success.

One of his students had the idea of trying to apply this idea to the prediction of elections by using CAVE(content analysis of verbatim explanations). And honestly the results were kinda scary. Basically the research showed that it is a pretty accurate predictor atleast in the 20th century. This is why early on Obama focused so heavily on Hope and what not and why everyone is talking about how wonderful we all are.

Out of the 4 the only one I have seen who seems to have a firm grip intelectually on all the issues and what not is Biden. One of the main reasons why people vote for values over intelectual grip on the issues is because a year from now or 3 years from now there will likely be a different set of issues and someone who holds similar values to you even if you disagree with them on a current issue is theoretically more likely to be on the same side of an issue in the future.

[noxcat.livejournal.com]

Whenever I hear McCain talk about how great America is, I automatically think 'yes, but we c`an be better.' I've always been drwan to the candidate who talks about improvement over maintaining the stsus quo.