US culture is an incubator of ‘extrinsic values’. Nobody embodies them like the Republican frontrunner

Many explanations are proposed for the continued rise of Donald Trump, and the steadfastness of his support, even as the outrages and criminal charges pile up. Some of these explanations are powerful. But there is one I have seen mentioned nowhere, which could, I believe, be the most important: Trump is king of the extrinsics.

Some psychologists believe our values tend to cluster around certain poles, described as “intrinsic” and “extrinsic”. People with a strong set of intrinsic values are inclined towards empathy, intimacy and self-acceptance. They tend to be open to challenge and change, interested in universal rights and equality, and protective of other people and the living world.

People at the extrinsic end of the spectrum are more attracted to prestige, status, image, fame, power and wealth. They are strongly motivated by the prospect of individual reward and praise. They are more likely to objectify and exploit other people, to behave rudely and aggressively and to dismiss social and environmental impacts. They have little interest in cooperation or community. People with a strong set of extrinsic values are more likely to suffer from frustration, dissatisfaction, stress, anxiety, anger and compulsive behaviour.

  • dangblingus@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    9 months ago

    Everyone has this hot take about why people support Trump. It’s not rocket science and it definitely doesn’t require a PHD to understand (lord know he doesn’t have one and none of his supporters do either). It’s very simple: America is a country where half of the population hates everybody who isn’t a conservative heterosexual cisgendered white man. Sounds crazy. But it’s the truth. Trump makes these people feel okay for carrying such hatred. That’s it.

      • ParsnipWitch@feddit.de
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        9 months ago

        This article is absolute gold. It’s the same I try to tell people here in Germany with the AFD voters. The article nails it…

        It will never stop when we keep going at it by trying to change people by telling them constantly how bad and stupid they supposedly are.

        • octopus_ink@lemmy.ml
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          9 months ago

          He paints a caricature of the left (apologies, I think his euphemism is city folk) from the very start that’s equally as unhelpful, so you’ll pardon me if I doubt the author’s objectivity despite his attempt to tell us he’s been in “both” environments.

          The whole article is “folks in the country have or think they have good reason to hate you.” It lambasts the “city” side for its stereotypes of trump voters and misconceptions about rural lifestyle, while entirely forgiving trump voters for theirs.

          Then he stereotypes and maligns the reader who doesn’t feel inclined to go along:

          Already some of you have gotten angry, feeling this gut-level revulsion at any attempt to excuse or even understand these people. After all, they’re hardly people, right? Aren’t they just a mass of ignorant, rageful, crude, cursing, spitting subhumans?

          Can’t it just be that I’d prefer an article that explains one “side” without excusing one side and leveling fresh accusations at the other? Did the author write a companion piece someplace to explain to Trump voters why “city folks” find Trump (and Trumpism) repugnant? Is racism and bigotry something we just get to cutely handwave away as the author does? (He’s not the only one with experience in both sorts of environments.) Should we be expected to?

          May as well tag @PRUSSIA_x86@lemmy.world since they linked the article.

          Edit: Euphamism/Euphemism - I blame that it was about 3AM. 😁

          • ParsnipWitch@feddit.de
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            9 months ago

            You feel people should not be forgiven to vote for right wing / conservative / etc. parties. What exactly does that mean to not “forgive” them? What is the consequence you wish to see from that?

            • octopus_ink@lemmy.ml
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              9 months ago

              You feel people should not be forgiven to vote for right wing / conservative / etc. parties.

              Can you quote the part where I’ve said such a thing?

              Edit: You not only mischaracterized my comment, you ignored every single point I made about the article in order to do so.

    • Asafum@feddit.nl
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      9 months ago

      While correct, the why is also very important. It’s not always pure hatred of the other out of nowhere, it’s propaganda outlets causing you to believe the things/people you aren’t entirely comfortable with are the exact reason things are so bad in the country.

      We have a gigantic propaganda problem that has no real solution as our 1st amendment (rightfully) protects our media even if they’re completely antithetical to our continued survival as a nation… It’s fucked up.

    • Grandwolf319@sh.itjust.works
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      9 months ago

      America is a country where half of the population hates everybody who isn’t a conservative heterosexual cisgendered white man

      … but doesn’t that beg the question, why half of America is like that? I wouldn’t find the answer “they just are” sufficient.

      • 7heo@lemmy.ml
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        9 months ago

        The article explains that. You will find that it is caused by something called “education” (or, in that case, the lack thereof). Look into it, it’s literally empowering.

        Also: “extrinsic” which comes in opposition to “intrinsic”, means, quite obviously, “coming from outside”. Now, if you add the term “values” to it, “intrinsic values” means “contributing”, while “extrinsic values” means “profiting”. It is literally a fancy term to designate selfish, kleptomaniac, toxic behavior. And this type of behavior is caused by the intimate conviction that one is unable to provide for oneself, and so, must take from others or suffer. This is, in turn, due to a lack of skills and knowledge, stemming from poor education.