Van Hiel, A., De Keersmaecker, J., Onraet, E., Haesevoets, T., Roets, A., & Fontaine, J. R. J. (2019). The relationship between emotional abilities and right-wing and prejudiced attitudes. Emotion, 19(5), 917–922. https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0000497
1. Lower Emotional Intelligence and Right-Wing Views
The article argues that lower emotional intelligence is correlated with right-wing political views, emphasizing prejudice, violence, and authoritarian inclinations. Within Kim’s model, such right-wing attitudes align with Stage 1 emotional development, characterized by dependence on authoritarian leadership and an emphasis on in-group/out-group distinctions. This stage is marked by fear-based thinking and conformity, often leading to extreme views and violent outcomes.
However, Kim’s model would caution against overly generalizing lower emotional intelligence exclusively to the right wing, as emotional immaturity can also manifest in left-wing politics (Stage 2). Stage 2 groups may hold polar opposite extreme views, also reflecting prejudices—albeit centered on individual capabilities and financial statuses. Thus, emotional immaturity is not exclusive to one ideological spectrum.
2. Extremes and Prejudice Across the Political Spectrum
According to the Five-Stage Model, Stage 2 (left-wing) groups, while less overtly authoritarian, also possess biases. These biases manifest through meritocratic ideologies and can result in prejudice stemming from self-centeredness and a lack of empathy towards those perceived as less capable or economically disadvantaged. Thus, while the article emphasizes right-wing extremism, Kim’s model highlights that emotional immaturity and prejudice are also prevalent on the left, simply expressed differently.
3. Pendulum Swing: Alternation between Right and Left
The article implicitly suggests a static dichotomy (high EI-left vs. low EI-right), whereas Kim’s five-stage model explicitly states that political views swing between right and left across different developmental stages, moving progressively toward higher emotional maturity at Stage 5. This dynamic pendulum model reflects historical and contemporary political shifts, emphasizing that neither the right nor left holds exclusive moral or emotional maturity. Instead, both ends of the spectrum evolve emotionally and politically over time.
4. Commonalities in Lower Tiers of Emotional Development
Kim’s model clearly indicates that both right-wing and left-wing groups with extreme polar views typically reside in the lower tiers (Stages 1 and 2) of emotional development. This shared location at lower developmental stages explains persistent political conflicts, characterized by authoritarianism (right-wing, Stage 1) and hyper-competitiveness and elitism (left-wing, Stage 2). Understanding this commonality could foster greater insight into persistent socio-political conflicts across many countries.
5. Conclusion and Recommendation
The article’s assertion that lower emotional intelligence predominantly aligns with right-wing ideologies provides a useful but incomplete picture according to Kim’s integrated psychological perspective. By highlighting that lower emotional maturity exists on both sides of the political spectrum, Kim’s five-stage model advocates for recognizing these extremes as developmental rather than purely ideological issues. Promoting emotional growth and empathy across all political groups, rather than polarizing or attributing emotional deficits to a single side, might provide a more holistic approach to resolving political conflicts and fostering a mature global society.
Van Hiel, A., De Keersmaecker, J., Onraet, E., Haesevoets, T., Roets, A., & Fontaine, J. R. J. (2019). The relationship between emotional abilities and right-wing and prejudiced attitudes. Emotion, 19(5), 917–922. https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0000497