New research from Poland has found a link between antisocial tendencies and support for group violence.
The study, which has been published in the scientific journal Personality and Individual Differences, suggests that people who lack consideration for others’ wellbeing are more prone to political radicalization.
The researchers found no evidence that psychopathic personality traits were associated with support for moderate non-violent collective actions, such as attending a demonstration.
But Besta and his colleagues found that some of the psychopathic traits were linked to support for group violence and radical group actions.
“I consider this study as a preliminary examination of the relation of antisocial traits and support for violent actions.
However, the results should not be misunderstood as suggesting that psychopathic traits are the sole cause of political violence.
“And that we did not find such a link when moderate non-violent collective actions were examined.”. »