How Big Five personality relates to political attitudes in Chinese samples

Abstract Although much work exists on the relationship between personality and political attitudes, much of it centered on Western samples. The present studies examined how personality related to political attitudes and beliefs in Chinese samples (total N = 3,089). Chinese samples recruited online completed measures of personality, and indicated their support for the current political system, increased civil liberties, and electoral democracy (both studies), their political interest and satisfaction (Study 2), and measures of right-wing authoritarianism and social dominance orientation (Study 2). Overall, personality traits differently related to various aspects of Chinese political attitudes and beliefs, with some findings being similar to those found in Western samples (e.g., positive link between Openness to Experience and political interest/engagement), and others being quite different (e.g., Openness to Experience being positively linked with right-wing authoritarianism). These results shed light on how personality may relate to political differences in Chinese samples, and provide further cultural nuances to the personality-politics link.