Political Leanings in India and Identity: A Correlational Study

By : Pooja Jaggi, Shriyambhara Bajpai

Page No: 661-674

Abstract
People presumably make political judgments based on what is important to them, and look to aspects of their selves in order to make political decisions. This research investigated the relationship of identity orientations with political leaning. We hypothesised that identity orientations will be significantly correlated with political leaning. Data was collected from 100 participants between the ages 18 to 35 years in Delhi-NCR, of which 50 participants leaned towards the political right and the other 50 towards the left. The Aspects of Identity questionnaire was used to measure their identity orientations. Results showed that collective identity was found to be associated with a right political leaning (p< .001). This suggests that people’s political leanings are related with the way they view and define their selves. People on the political right placed more importance on defining themselves through the groups or social categories they were a part of than those on the left. This study has implications for discourse around polarising issues and is a step towards making social policy decisions that cater to the needs of groups along the political spectrum. In the current political scenario policy issues pertaining to group identity may be most prominent in the prevailing discourse and a valuable field of research, such as nationalism or anti-immigrant sentiment.

Authors :
Pooja Jaggi : Assistant Professor – (Teacher-in-charge, Nodal Officer PMSS Admissions), Department of Psychology, Mata Sundri College, University of Delhi, Delhi-110002. Shriyambhara Bajpai : Student – Department of Psychology, Mata Sundri College for Women, University of Delhi-110002.
 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32381/JPR.2020.15.02.27