Does A Powerful Social Psychology Principle Explain Why Trump Won?

[david_myers]

Among the proffered explanations for Donald Trump’s 1.47 percent victory margin over Kamala Harris, the most prominent has been inflation.

Pandemic-era inflation did outpace Americans’ earnings growth for a time. But since 2022, Americans’ incomes have outpaced today’s lower inflation rate—yielding a nominal net gain in median real (inflation-adjusted) income during the Biden presidency.

So why in early 2024 did 57 percent of Americans perceive, to Harris’ detriment, that “over the past two years . . . the economy has gotten worse” (even with a record stock market and job growth)?

Let’s reframe the question. Imagine the economies of two countries. Over the last four years,

• Country A has experienced a flat economy, with no inflation and no income increases—thus with stable purchasing power for the average citizen.
• Country B has experienced 20 percent inflation and 20 percent after-tax income increases—thus also with stable purchasing power for the average citizen.

Question: In which country are people unhappiest with their economy, and most likely to vote out their current leaders?

A simple, powerful social psychological principle suggests an answer. We humans have a natural self-serving bias. This bias leads us not only to overrate our virtues (nearly everyone thinks they’re better than the average driver) but also to attribute bad outcomes to external factors and good outcomes to ourselves. When athletes lose, they may blame bad luck or unfair officiating, while attributing wins to their superior skill and effort. “What have I done to deserve this?” is a question we more often ask of our troubles than our successes.

Self-serving bias helps explain voters’ unhappiness. Drawing from other economists, Paul Krugman observes that people tend not to see inflation as lifting their incomes along with their grocery prices. Rather, they attribute inflation to government policy, while attributing income gains to their own efforts. Thus, people in Country B—which approximates the U.S. of the last four years—will be more displeased with their economy than will those in the economically equivalent Country A.  

So, when prices and incomes rise together—preserving people’s purchasing power—they will tend to accept credit for their increased wages, while blaming those in charge for inflation . . . and thus to vote out the party in power. And, like it or not, that’s an example of the social psychology of everyday life.

David Myers, a Hope College social psychologist, authors psychology textbooks and trade books, including his recent essay collection, How Do We Know Ourselves? Curiosities and Marvels of the Human Mind.

[mbritt12]

Makes total sense as usual David. A good example of the self-serving bias. Now, being, as I am, inclined to see what AI could do to make this more visual, here's how Napkin.ai visualized your article (a few human tweaks were necessary..):

Or perhaps this visual:

Either way - thanks again David for an excellent example!

- Michael

[david_myers]

Love it, Michael! Thanks for adding this to the blog. 🙂

[Sanborne]

On point as always, David. A self-serving bias is a reasonable explanation. Think I'll share with my (Community Psych) students. I had already skimmed thru some attribution errors in another way this week. Timely. Thanks! 😊

Kind regards, Erika