Universität zu Köln

Schulte, Anna ORCID: 0000-0002-7841-5447 (2024). Bridging the Divide: The Role of the Past in Understanding and Overcoming Ideological Differences. PhD thesis, Universität zu Köln.

PDF DissertationAnnaSchulte.pdf - Accepted Version Download (4MB)

Abstract

Within the complex structure of political discourse, understanding the fundamental ideological differences between conservatives and liberals has been a longstanding challenge. While previous research has explored numerous psychological dimensions of these differences, the role of time as a determinant factor has received less attention. The present dissertation aims to fill this gap by examining the meaning of the past for political positions and exploring the potential of past-focused communication strategies to bridge political divides. Chapter 1 reviews theoretical frameworks and empirical evidence that support the relevance of the past for political preferences, particularly within conservative ideology. To validate this concept, Chapter 2 demonstrates that framing highly polarized COVID-19 policies as a return to the past can lead to modest yet significant political rapprochement by reducing conservative opposition. In Chapter 3, a cognitive-motivational explanation of conservatives’ preference for past-focused ideas is provided, suggesting that conservatives interpret the past as a realization of their fundamental epistemic and existential motives. Chapter 4 shows that appealing solely to these motives without connecting them to the past fails to bridge the divide effectively, highlighting the advantages of past-focused framing over other forms of framed communication. Chapter 5 demonstrates the unique potential of a focus on the past in reducing ideological outgroup hostility and enhancing willingness to engage in compromise across political lines. Overall, this dissertation contributes valuable insights to the understanding of the ideological underpinnings that shape the political landscape, fostering efforts for a more collaborative society.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD thesis)
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Schulte, Anna anna.schulte@uni-koeln.de orcid.org/0000-0002-7841-5447 UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-726198
Date:	2024
Language:	English
Faculty:	Faculty of Human Sciences
Divisions:	Faculty of Human Sciences > Department Psychologie
Subjects:	Psychology
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language political psychology; ideology; conservatism; time; nostalgia; framing English
Date of oral exam:	15 March 2024
Referee:	Name Academic Title Lammers, Joris Prof. Dr. Alves, Hans Prof. Dr.
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/72619