A growing body of psychological and cognitive research is showing that the conservative mind has the following in common, indicating a profound challenge for American democracy in years to come:

• are low in the “openness” trait — seek comfort and familiarity, and avoid novelty or challenge
• dislike change and difference
• rigid and dogmatic thinkers; close-minded
• have a strong need for closure
• have a high tendency to jump to conclusions while exuding self-righteous conviction
• are high in conscientiousness, but low in conscience — many see life as a game to win at all costs, especially the social dominators
• value loyalty
• more likely than liberals to engage in motivated reasoning
• more likely to have strong religious beliefs
• more likely to engage in magical thinking
• more likely to believe in conspiracy theories
• more likely to exhibit authoritarian personality traits
• more likely to harbor aggressive tendencies

See also:

• Hierarchy vs. Fairness
• Rule of Law vs. Cult of Personality
• Artists vs. Fundamentalists
• R1 vs. R2
• Arguments for an open world