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Traits shared by both the extreme right and left

1. Psychological distress
2. Cognitive simplicity
3. Overconfidence
4. Intolerance

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0963721418817755


Abstract

In this article, we examine psychological features of extreme political ideologies. In what ways are political left- and right-wing extremists similar to one another and different from moderates? We propose and review four interrelated propositions that explain adherence to extreme political ideologies from a psychological perspective. We argue that (a) psychological distress stimulates adopting an extreme ideological outlook; (b) extreme ideologies are characterized by a relatively simplistic, black-and-white perception of the social world; (c) because of such mental simplicity, political extremists are overconfident in their judgments; and (d) political extremists are less tolerant of different groups and opinions than political moderates. In closing, we discuss how these psychological features of political extremists increase the likelihood of conflict among groups in society.

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Original post by Ascend
1. Psychological distress
2. Cognitive simplicity
3. Overconfidence
4. Intolerance

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0963721418817755



Haven’t read the whole thing, but it looks really interesting. Always seems people at the more extreme ends of the political spectrum perceive any criticism as part of some sort of conspiracy, rather than considering it might be accurate.
Reply 2
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And now for a major and dangerous difference:



(found this here)

Edit: I just remembered coming across this left-side scenario a few weeks ago on this site:

https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showpost.php?p=85417500&postcount=4
https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showpost.php?p=85418660&postcount=29
(edited 4 years ago)
This journal looks interesting looking forward to read it 😁
They forgot angry at the world
at least the extreme left have empathy unlike the heartless right wingers
Original post by IH8Studying
at least the extreme left have empathy unlike the heartless right wingers

The extremists don't have any empathy for other people.
Only the ability to lie to manufacture such an illusion for political advantage or personal propaganda purposes.
There is a lot of vicious aggression, toxic conspiracy theories and dirty laundry on all sides.

"Extreme Right"- British Union of Fascists, Imperial Fascist League, National Front, British National Party, Britain First & outlawed terror group National Action.
"Extreme Left"- Worker's Revolutionary Party, Socialist Workers Party, Revolutionary Communist Group, Irish Republican Socialist Party, The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and Workers' Institute of Marxism-Leninism-Mao Zedong Thought.
Equally disgusting.
Original post by londonmyst
The extremists don't have any empathy for other people.
Only the ability to lie to manufacture such an illusion for political advantage or personal propaganda purposes.
There is a lot of vicious aggression, toxic conspiracy theories and dirty laundry on all sides.

"Extreme Right"- British Union of Fascists, Imperial Fascist League, National Front, British National Party, Britain First & outlawed terror group National Action.
"Extreme Left"- Worker's Revolutionary Party, Socialist Workers Party, Revolutionary Communist Group, Irish Republican Socialist Party, The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and Workers' Institute of Marxism-Leninism-Mao Zedong Thought.
Equally disgusting.

I don’t think they’re extremist anyway. right wingers are mad because they all must clearly lack in empathy. not diagnosing anyone but from what they support, they have no heart. right wingers only care about themselves. all right wingers must be extremists then cause they all are crap
Original post by IH8Studying
I don’t think they’re extremist anyway. right wingers are mad because they all must clearly lack in empathy. not diagnosing anyone but from what they support, they have no heart. right wingers only care about themselves. all right wingers must be extremists then cause they all are crap

Ok well I would argue the other way around. Have you seen what communist countries are/were like? Everyone equal = everyone starving
Original post by Uori32qu
Ok well I would argue the other way around. Have you seen what communist countries are/were like? Everyone equal = everyone starving

Everyone starving because of colonisation but y’all right wingers aren’t ready for that conversation, ever. and do the right wingers care about starving children? no
Original post by IH8Studying
Everyone starving because of colonisation but y’all right wingers aren’t ready for that conversation, ever. and do the right wingers care about starving children? no

Who's starving because of colonisation?
Original post by Uori32qu
Who's starving because of colonisation?

some middle eastern and african countries. right wing should not be called right wing because they’re going the wrong direction. their mentality is going to leave our country in ruins. right wing only give a damn about certain group of people. white, and rich. argue with a wall.
Original post by IH8Studying
some middle eastern and african countries. right wing should not be called right wing because they’re going the wrong direction. their mentality is going to leave our country in ruins. right wing only give a damn about certain group of people. white, and rich. argue with a wall.

dont forget the south east asian countries
Original post by forgotten_one
dont forget the south east asian countries

basically all the non white countries 😂
Original post by JanusGodofDoors
Haven’t read the whole thing, but it looks really interesting. Always seems people at the more extreme ends of the political spectrum perceive any criticism as part of some sort of conspiracy, rather than considering it might be accurate.

I had a look at the article, some interesting points. Yes, the far right and far left are similar in the way they dismiss any opposition to their ideas. The far right will say anyone who criticises them is brainwashed by 'cultural Marxism' and the far left will label any opposing view as capitalist propaganda. It doesn't seem to occur to them that most people just don't like what they believe in. Also the sense of certainty and believing their own group has all the answers, both extremes are very splintered, with groups often splitting over minor differences in ideology. I think a significant difference could be that the far left tends to attract more intellectual types, academics etc, whereas with the far right you're more likely to get people like this guy:biggrin:
Reply 15
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Original post by Alesha1991
I think a significant difference could be that the far left tends to attract more intellectual types, academics etc, whereas with the far right you're more likely to get people like this guy:biggrin:

Not that I disagree with your point (and the rest of your post) but you've chosen a very interesting example. While that goon is obviously not the brightest chap, what's he's actually saying is "rape gangs" not "ray guns". This is in reference to the grooming gangs that were ignored by the councils and police due to political correctness fears mongered by the left.
Original post by Ascend
And now for a major and dangerous difference:



(found this here)

Edit: I just remembered coming across this left-side scenario a few weeks ago on this site:

https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showpost.php?p=85417500&postcount=4
https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showpost.php?p=85418660&postcount=29


To be fair to the hard right guy media and academia are far from being absolute trusted authorities.
Reply 17
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The Far Right Is Taking On Cultural Institutions

https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2019/10/germany-far-right-culture-war/598978/

Because the left's censorship, no-platforming and cancel culture just isn't enough of a blow...
1. Psychological distress
2. Cognitive simplicity
3. Overconfidence
4. Intolerance

I see more and more of Donald Trump in young, liberal, woke people on social media.

Especially the narcissism (over confidence) that is fueled by living in a bubble and having yourself constantly validated, and the hypocrisy - always accuse the other side of what you did/said. Always turn their arguments around without coherent logic backing it up.

I follow both right wing (US right wing, so for European standards pretty conservative indeed) and liberal accounts. In some way they are as bad as each other, though I cannot stand on the right wing ones too long as politically, in theory at least, I am more left.
Original post by IH8Studying
at least the extreme left have empathy unlike the heartless right wingers

They only have empathy for those they agree with. For those that submit.

Anyone outside of their ideology can die. This is not made up. You will hear things how words are literal violence. And people basically deserve to die. As such, they are like a religion - the Church also told people not believing in God would send them to hell.

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