For twenty years, researchers have been exploring how people manage the fear engendered by intimations of mortality.
Reminded of the inevitability of their own death, people try to quench, or at least manage, the resulting "existential terror" in several ways. They become more certain of their worldview or faith. They conform more closely to the norms of their society. They show greater reverence for symbols of their society, such as flags and crucifixes.
All of these make people feel more secure and, crucially, a part of something larger--something that will outlive them.
The latest research shows that because violent political acts are brutal reminders of death, they make conservatives more hostile toward those perceived as different, and more supportive of extreme military policies, according to a study in April's Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.
Bringing Terrorism Front and Center in Voters' Minds
On the weekend before Election Day 2004, al-Jazeera broadcast a videotape in which Osama bin Laden, addressing the U.S., tore into the Bush administration. Four days later, the president won re-election.
Which brings us back to the effect on voters of a terrorist attack and its brutal reminders of mortality. Although some voters would feel betrayed by incumbents who failed to protect them, researchers say, these days that trend would more likely be swamped by a surge toward candidates perceived as hawks on national security.
In the upcoming election, expect the unexpected to occur around Halloween and scare voters into voting booths across America.
Source: Science Journal, The Wall Street Journal, October 13, 2006