This was an incredibly insightful read. The exploration of authoritarian personality traits feels especially relevant today, as we continue to see how fear, conformity, and obedience can be shaped by both upbringing and societal forces. What struck me most was the reminder that authoritarianism isn’t just a political issue—it’s deeply psychological. Understanding these patterns is key not just to recognizing them in others, but in ourselves. Thank you for making such a complex topic so accessible and thought-provoking.
Even with my background in psychology, I'm still very unfamiliar with this concept on a Substack that is "All About Psychology." It's not something I've come across before or had laid out in such an educational and enlightening manner. This article has definitely given me a lot to think about, and now I'm thinking of some previous encounters in entirely new ways! I definitely appreciate those who can inspire that with articles like this! I also find it interesting that in other areas of psychology, those symptoms of an authoritarian personality are also symptoms of things we consider neurodevelopmental disorders like autism, PTSD, etc.
I suspect many of Trump voters—perhaps most—did not vote for him because they admired him. They voted for him because they were afraid of what would happen if they did not. But let us be clear: that fear was not an organic, self-generated response to real-world threats. It was manufactured, cultivated, and carefully injected into their psyches by a political machine that understands how easily a terrified mind can be led.
This was an incredibly insightful read. The exploration of authoritarian personality traits feels especially relevant today, as we continue to see how fear, conformity, and obedience can be shaped by both upbringing and societal forces. What struck me most was the reminder that authoritarianism isn’t just a political issue—it’s deeply psychological. Understanding these patterns is key not just to recognizing them in others, but in ourselves. Thank you for making such a complex topic so accessible and thought-provoking.
Really pleased you liked the article and thank you for the kind words, much appreciated.
Even with my background in psychology, I'm still very unfamiliar with this concept on a Substack that is "All About Psychology." It's not something I've come across before or had laid out in such an educational and enlightening manner. This article has definitely given me a lot to think about, and now I'm thinking of some previous encounters in entirely new ways! I definitely appreciate those who can inspire that with articles like this! I also find it interesting that in other areas of psychology, those symptoms of an authoritarian personality are also symptoms of things we consider neurodevelopmental disorders like autism, PTSD, etc.
I suspect many of Trump voters—perhaps most—did not vote for him because they admired him. They voted for him because they were afraid of what would happen if they did not. But let us be clear: that fear was not an organic, self-generated response to real-world threats. It was manufactured, cultivated, and carefully injected into their psyches by a political machine that understands how easily a terrified mind can be led.
𝗔𝗻 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗺𝗽’𝘀 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗳𝘂𝗹: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗱, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰
https://patricemersault.substack.com/p/an-open-letter-to-trumps-fearful?r=4d7sow