Abstract
Research demonstrates that the negative relationship between Openness to Experience and conservatism is heightened among the informed. We extend this literature using national survey data (Study 1; N = 13,203) and data from students (Study 2; N = 311). As predicted, education - a correlate of political sophistication - strengthened the negative relationship between Openness and conservatism (Study 1). Study 2 employed a knowledge-based measure of political sophistication to show that the Openness × Political Sophistication interaction was restricted to the Openness aspect of Openness. These studies demonstrate that knowledge helps people align their ideology with their personality, but that the Openness × Political Sophistication interaction is specific to one aspect of Openness - nuances that are overlooked in the literature.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 133-143 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Journal of Individual Differences |
Volume | 38 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jul 2017 |
Externally published | Yes |