Preliminary Exploration of Personality, Values, and Political Orientation: A Mediation Study

This study aimed to examine the mediating role of values in the relationship between personality factors and political orientation. While previous research has established correlations among personality factors, values, and political views, the mechanisms underlying these connections remain unclear. We investigated whether personality directly influences political orientation or whether values operate as mediators, transmitting the effects of personality onto political orientation. This study examined the relationships between personality factors (HEXACO model), Schwartz value dimensions, and political orientation (left-right, liberal-conservative). The data were collected via an anonymous, internet-based survey. The sample consisted of 431 Swedish respondents. The data were analysed using correlations, hierarchical regression, and path analysis. The findings suggest differences between right-wing orientation and conservatism, indicating that they should not be used interchangeably. Personality traits accounted for a small portion of the variance in political orientation and conservatism, while values exerted a more significant influence. Values were found to mediate the effects of personality on political orientation and conservatism, suggesting that personality traits are distal factors and values are proximal factors in shaping political attitudes. Age and gender were also related to political orientation, with individuals becoming more conservative, particularly regarding social conservatism, with age and men tending to be more conservative than women. Hence, the impact of personality on political orientation is predominantly channelled through values, suggesting that personality shapes our values, which subsequently mould our political views.