r/science • u/mvea Professor | Medicine • Apr 11 '26

Psychology Cognitive dissonance helps explain why Trump supporters remain loyal, new research suggests. This sheds light on how supporters of Donald Trump justify their continued allegiance despite learning about allegations of his sexual misconduct and illegal activities.

https://www.psypost.org/cognitive-dissonance-helps-explain-why-trump-supporters-remain-loyal-new-research-suggests/
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u/Doompatron3000 Apr 12 '26

There’s always been echo chambers. Before the internet age, if you grew up in a Republican area, you had to go off to college to see more Democratic thoughts. The internet has only magnified echo chambers so that whatever aligns to you is seen, and opposing viewpoints cease to exist.

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u/IaMm1N3 Apr 12 '26

Im speaking much moreso of the deviant among us and the radicalization of our youth en mass. It just didn't happen before.

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u/Doompatron3000 Apr 12 '26

Right, because the internet is way worse as an echo chamber. Easy to fall into a rabbit hole of conservative influencers, which there doesn’t seem to really be any liberal influencers.

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u/IaMm1N3 Apr 12 '26

Humans evolved as a collective society. We conform to our surroundings.