What are the psychological factors that contribute to the success of post-truth politics?

There are several psychological factors that contribute to the success of post-truth politics:

1. Confirmation bias: People tend to seek out information that confirms their existing beliefs and values, while disregarding or dismissing contradictory evidence. Post-truth politicians exploit this bias by providing information that aligns with their supporters' preconceived notions, reinforcing their beliefs and garnering their support.

2. Cognitive dissonance: When individuals encounter information that contradicts their beliefs, it creates a state of cognitive dissonance, which is uncomfortable and can lead to psychological discomfort. Post-truth politicians capitalize on this by presenting alternative facts or narratives that reduce cognitive dissonance and provide a sense of relief to their supporters.

3. Emotional appeals: Post-truth politics often relies on emotional appeals rather than rational arguments. By evoking strong emotions such as fear, anger, or nostalgia, politicians can bypass critical thinking and appeal directly to people's emotions, making them more susceptible to accepting false or misleading information.

4. Tribalism and identity politics: Humans have a natural tendency to form groups and identify with them, often leading to an "us versus them" mentality. Post-truth politics exploits this by creating a sense of belonging and identity within a specific group, fostering loyalty and a willingness to accept and defend the group's beliefs, regardless of their factual accuracy.

5. Distrust in institutions and experts: Post-truth politics thrives in an environment where there is a widespread distrust in established institutions and experts. When people feel disillusioned or disconnected from traditional sources of information, they are more likely to turn to alternative sources that align with their biases, even if those sources lack credibility or evidence.

Overall, the success of post-truth politics is influenced by these psychological factors, which exploit cognitive biases, emotional responses, group dynamics, and a general erosion of trust in traditional sources of information.