Physiological stress responses to the 2008 U.S. presidential election: The role of policy preferences and social dominance orientation

This study examines physiological stress responses to the 2008 U.S. presidential election. The week before and after Election Day, participants provided three daily saliva samples, assayed for cortisol (a principal “stress hormone”) and testosterone. Results revealed that, on Election Day, all parti...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Group processes & intergroup relations 2012-05, Vol.15 (3), p.333-345
Main Authors: Trawalter, Sophie, Chung, Vicki S., DeSantis, Amy S., Simon, Clarissa D., Adam, Emma K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anxiety
Domination
Election results
Elections
Health Behavior
Health Care Services Policy
Hormones
Intergroup relations
Mental Health
Physiology
Political Affiliation
Political Parties
Political psychology
Prediction
Presidential elections
Presidents
Principals
Psychological effects
Psychophysiology
Republican parties
Social inequality
Social Policy
Stress
Stress response
Studies
Testosterone
Tolerance
U.S.A
Values
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Summary:This study examines physiological stress responses to the 2008 U.S. presidential election. The week before and after Election Day, participants provided three daily saliva samples, assayed for cortisol (a principal “stress hormone”) and testosterone. Results revealed that, on Election Day, all participants on average and Republicans in particular exhibited stunted cortisol and testosterone rhythms, perhaps reflecting participants’ anticipation. After Election Day, participants’ political affiliation was not a strong predictor of physiological responses. Their social dominance orientation—that is, their tolerance of social inequalities—was predictive of responses. Those higher in social dominance orientation had higher cortisol and testosterone morning values. These changes suggest that individuals higher in social dominance orientation were distressed but ready to fight back. The present findings add to an emerging body of work showing that sociopolitical differences can influence biological systems relevant to health and behavior.
ISSN:1368-4302
1461-7188
DOI:10.1177/1368430211428163