CHFA | Psychology Department Showcase: Projects In-Progress
Personality, Religiosity, and Politics: A Social Attitudes Survey
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Psychology
Minor
Criminal Justice
2nd Student Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
2nd Student Major
Psychology
2nd Student Minor
Sociology
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Dr. Esther Malm
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Description
Personality, Religiosity, and Politics: A Social Attitudes Survey
Political affiliation is a direct representation of individuals’ moral, religious, or personal beliefs. However, multiple factors, collectively, lead to these beliefs. This particular study aims to expand on the social and personal circumstances of politics by investigating college students’ personality traits, religious affiliation, and parental political affiliation, specifically how these factors influence political affiliation in adulthood. This study will also analyze which of these factors has the most salient influence on political preferences in adulthood. This study hypothesizes that personality traits will play a more significant role in determining political affiliation than religiosity and parental influence. Unlike external factors such as religiosity or parental political alignment, personality traits may provide a more stable and individualized framework for predicting political preferences. By identifying which factors influence political affiliation, this research aims to enhance psychological understanding of political alignment and contribute to broader discussion in which underlying characteristics are most powerful in shaping political ideologies. Data-collection is ongoing (61 participants so far) from current Murray State University students using a survey. The results of the study will be useful to current psychologists’ perceptions of political alignment, and how these may be influenced by internal or external factors. As we gain more of an understanding of this, it could help researchers analyze why certain traits affect political opinion more than others. These findings may also facilitate greater political discourse, and results will be presented during Scholar’s Week.
Key Words: Personality Traits, Religiosity, Parental Political Influence, Political Beliefs, Psychological Influences on Politics, Political Ideology Formation, External vs. Internal Influences on Political Affiliation, Party Identification
Spring Scholars Week 2025
Psychology: Projects In-Progress
Personality, Religiosity, and Politics: A Social Attitudes Survey
Personality, Religiosity, and Politics: A Social Attitudes Survey
Political affiliation is a direct representation of individuals’ moral, religious, or personal beliefs. However, multiple factors, collectively, lead to these beliefs. This particular study aims to expand on the social and personal circumstances of politics by investigating college students’ personality traits, religious affiliation, and parental political affiliation, specifically how these factors influence political affiliation in adulthood. This study will also analyze which of these factors has the most salient influence on political preferences in adulthood. This study hypothesizes that personality traits will play a more significant role in determining political affiliation than religiosity and parental influence. Unlike external factors such as religiosity or parental political alignment, personality traits may provide a more stable and individualized framework for predicting political preferences. By identifying which factors influence political affiliation, this research aims to enhance psychological understanding of political alignment and contribute to broader discussion in which underlying characteristics are most powerful in shaping political ideologies. Data-collection is ongoing (61 participants so far) from current Murray State University students using a survey. The results of the study will be useful to current psychologists’ perceptions of political alignment, and how these may be influenced by internal or external factors. As we gain more of an understanding of this, it could help researchers analyze why certain traits affect political opinion more than others. These findings may also facilitate greater political discourse, and results will be presented during Scholar’s Week.
Key Words: Personality Traits, Religiosity, Parental Political Influence, Political Beliefs, Psychological Influences on Politics, Political Ideology Formation, External vs. Internal Influences on Political Affiliation, Party Identification