Social norms misperception among voters in the 2020 US presidential election

Abstract

We aim to explain the dynamics enabling spikes in hate crimes by examining the underlying social‐psychological processes behind it. We see these as captured in empowerment processes among racists who see themselves as “victims” and their position strengthened by majority support from the public for their actions. Building on previous research, we investigated the role social norm misperception (false consensus and pluralistic ignorance), following elections plays as a possible, generally occurring mechanism, with particular focus on Republican Party supporters. In a two‐wave panel study, we surveyed Democrat and Republican supporters on social norms misperception, as well as collective empowerment, and xenophobic behavioral intentions. While we could replicate and strengthen our arguments and establish robust group‐dependent effects for social norms misperception and illustrate that an unexpected outcome of the election led to disempowerment among Republicans, we found null effects for changes in social norms misperception, and behavioral intentions. Our study contributes to understanding social norms misperception as associated with group membership. Deriving from that, the study results indicate that the perception of a majority agreeing with one's approval is potentially less influenced by external factors, in contrast to feelings of joy and group efficacy—collective empowerment. Practical implications of group differences regarding post‐election collective actions are discussed.

Populism Predicts Sympathy for Attacks Against Asylum Seekers Through National Pride and Moral Justification of Political Violence

“…Erisen et al (2021) showed that moral disengagement is positively associated with populist attitudes, especially when they involve a Manichean outlook that conceives of the world (hence, also politics) as a war between light and darkness, or between the good “ordinary people” and the evil immigrants supported by elites. However, what appears as “morally disengaged” is mostly in line with the actors’ ingroup norms (Hoerst & Drury, 2021). Moral disengagement is understood as distancing from moral standards in a specific situation (cf.…”

“…For instance, Walters et al (2016) discussed the perception of intergroup threats and their concurring emotions (e.g., anger) as a potential determinant of hate crimes. Although the role of negative intergroup emotions (e.g., anger) is frequently discussed in hate crimes in the social psychology literature (e.g., Mackie et al, 2000), positive emotions (e.g., pride) may also trigger aggressive behaviors toward outgroups (e.g., Hoerst & Drury, 2021). Relevant ingroup norms, interests, and values that frame the national pride can then influence what is seen as appropriate and legitimate behavior of the ingroup.…”

“…However, what appears as ''morally disengaged'' is mostly in line with the actors' ingroup norms (Hoerst & Drury, 2021). Moral disengagement is understood as distancing from moral standards in a specific situation (cf.…”

The relevance of group dynamics for understanding the U.S. Capitol insurrection.

“…In particular, numerous surveys have found that members of different political groups are not as different in their views as the members believe (Jerit & Zhao, 2020). Moreover, that positions ascribed to others (e.g., Democrats, Republicans) misrepresent their actual opinions, often by exaggerating the extremity of those beliefs (Hoerst & Drury, 2021). By using a social norms approach to demonstrate to individuals the accurate beliefs, positions, and attitudes held by a group of others, it is possible to educate those individuals that the others’ true position is not as discrepant as (falsely) believed.…”