University of Twente Student Theses
Mind the Gap : Investigating a Gender Divide between Liberal and Conservative Parties and Mediating Effects in Germany
Berken, L.S. von den (2024) Mind the Gap : Investigating a Gender Divide between Liberal and Conservative Parties and Mediating Effects in Germany.
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| Abstract: | Purpose: Recent research highlights a gender divide in voting preferences, with men leaning towards conservative parties and women towards liberal ones. This study examines the role of gender in influencing voting preferences and explores factors that may mediate this effect. Based on prior research, these factors include masculine and feminine personality traits, emotional tendencies (anger, depression, anxiety), perceived changes in privilege, the appeal of populist communication style, and preference for intuitive decision-making over expert advice. Method: In a quantitative, cross-sectional online survey (N=152, M = 76, F = 76), participants were asked to indicate their voting choices, personal characteristics in terms of masculine and feminine traits, emotional tendencies for anger, anxiety and depression, along with their level of agreement to statements about their trust in science and intuition and how populist rhetoric appeals to them. Results: Gender was not found to significantly impact voting preference in this sample, therefore no mediation effect was found. Feminine traits, the perceived loss of privileges and the appeal of populist communication were significantly impacted by gender. Depressive and anger tendencies significantly impacted liberal voting behaviour, while the loss of privilege, appeal of populist rhetoric and trust in intuitive decision making impacted conservative preferences. Conclusion: This study connected different concepts to find in what way they account for the gender differences in voting preference and contributes valuable factors for further research. The perceived loss of privilege and appeal of populist rhetoric stand out as particularly significant constructs. This study has found potentially relevant underlying factors, although these results would benefit from a sample that is more representative than the one in this research and need further investigation. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Bachelor) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 05 communication studies |
| Programme: | Communication Studies BSc (56615) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/100491 |
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