The Hateful People: Populist Attitudes Predict Interpersonal and Intergroup Hate

Abstract

Do populist attitudes predict a growth in feelings of hate? Or does experiencing hate predict a growth in populist attitudes? Previous research has not yet examined the relation between populist attitudes and hate over time. We conducted a two-wave study with a Dutch adult sample in the Netherlands, to examine the time-extended associations between populism and hate, thereby focusing on other individuals (N = 943) or groups (N = 851) as targets of hate. For interpersonal and intergroup hate, results uncovered an association between populist attitudes and hate, such that, earlier populist attitudes predict later feelings of hate, while the reverse associations were virtually absent. The findings provide new evidence that a populist worldview might fuel feelings of hate over time, rather than the reverse, highlighting the intense and strong negative feelings that the populist worldview can inspire among people. Further implications are discussed.