A meta-analytic integration of research on the relationship between right-wing ideological attitudes and aggressive tendencies
Open accessAbstract
Many studies have investigated the relationship between ideological attitudes and aggressive tendencies. The present meta-analytic integration of research on this relationship included data of 177 samples (total N = 47,933 participants). The results revealed that this relationship was substantial, r =.31, 95% CI [.27 to.35], p <.001. Such a relationship emerged for both attitudes towards violence and behavioural indicators, although the former relationship was stronger. Moreover, with respect to the different types of attitudes towards violence, we obtained equally strong relationships for attitudes towards war and military action, intergroup hostility and aggression, punitive attitudes, and intimate violence. Among the behavioural measures, context-specific aggression bore out a stronger effect size than chronic aggressive behaviour. Finally, type of right-wing attitude did not moderate the relationship under study. In the discussion, we argue that the pattern of results indicates that the greater aggressive tendencies among right-wing individuals are manifested both attitudinally and behaviourally.
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Humans tend to construct ideologies and self-identity, linking them to abstract values such as nationality, religion, ethnicity, and political ideologies.
“Furthermore, Fromm observed that humans tend to construct ideologies and self-identity, linking them to abstract values such as nationality, religion, ethnicity, and political ideologies.”
From Toward a humanized technology: a reinterpretation of Erich Fromm’ s humanistic peace psychology (2026) · cites this paper as Van Hiel et al., 2020
Attacks on these values are often experienced as attacks on one's core self.
“Attacks on these values are often experienced as attacks on one’s core self.”
From Toward a humanized technology: a reinterpretation of Erich Fromm’ s humanistic peace psychology (2026) · cites this paper as Van Hiel et al., 2020
This capacity makes human aggression more intense and destructive than the innate aggression of animals.
“This capacity makes human aggression more intense and destructive than the innate aggression of animals (Van Hiel et al., 2020).”
From Toward a humanized technology: a reinterpretation of Erich Fromm’ s humanistic peace psychology (2026) · cites this paper as Van Hiel et al., 2020
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Toward a humanized technology: a reinterpretation of Erich Fromm’ s humanistic peace psychology
Wang, Y., Li, P., & Liu, W. (2026) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1646601 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
- Authors
- Van Hiel, A., Onraet, E., Bostyn, D. H., Stadeus, J., Haesevoets, T., Van Assche, J., & Roets, A.
- Affiliations
- Department of Developmental, Personality, and Social Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Ghent University (BE)
- Venue
- European Review of Social Psychology
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2020-01-01
- Volume
- 31
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 183-221
- ISSN
- 1046-3283 (ISSN-L)
- 1479-277X
- OpenAlex
- W3036904269
- Cited by
- 37
- References
- 9
- Citations by year
- 2026: 8 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 2
- FWCI
- 4.98
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- hdl.handle.net
- Licence
- other-oa
- Locations
- European Review of Social Psychology (publishedVersion)
- Ghent University Academic Bibliography (Ghent University) (submittedVersion)
- Dépôt institutionnel de l'Université libre de Bruxelles (Université Libre de Bruxelles) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Lirias (KU Leuven) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Social and Intergroup Psychology
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Terrorism, Counterterrorism, and Political Violence
- Social Sciences › Political Science and International Relations › Populism, Right-Wing Movements
- Keywords
- right-wing ideology, aggressive tendencies, attitudes toward violence, intergroup hostility, punitiveness, intimate violence
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