Ideology at first sight: a comparative study of ideological stereotypes in four European countries

Abstract

In recent years, research on political stereotypes has expanded, showing that trait-based associations about members of political groups are both pervasive and consequential for intergroup relations and polarization. Yet it is unclear which traits are more often involved in stereotypes about ideological groups. Moreover, this literature is overwhelmingly focused on the USA and severely lacks comparative evidence. This paper addresses these gaps by examining how sociodemographic, personality, and lifestyle characteristics are associated with citizens’ perceptions of others’ political ideology in Czechia, France, Italy, and Sweden. Findings from a conjoint experiment indicate that both sociodemographic and lifestyle traits, particularly professions and means of transportation, can inform citizens’ ideological perceptions. Conversely, personality traits demonstrate relatively limited influence. Comparative analyses reveal both common patterns and noteworthy heterogeneity: Sweden emphasizes class-related traits, France and Italy prioritize religious and age factors, while Czechia exhibits markedly distinct patterns.