A test of the “hybridity hypothesis:” support for celebrity political expression, political ideology, and need for cognitive closure

Abstract

Abstract Are conservatives more likely than liberals to oppose celebrity political expression? And if so, is this attributable to the overwhelmingly liberal ideology of the actors, musicians, and athletes who speak out on political matters? The hybridity hypothesis suggests that opposition to celebrity political expression might also be grounded in individuals’ psychological predispositions and resulting aesthetic preferences. Using 2018 national CCES data (N = 1000), we test the relationships between political beliefs, psychological traits, and support for celebrity political expression. Results indicate that need for cognitive closure is significantly negatively associated with support for celebrity expression, and that this relationship functions independently of the political leanings of the audience and of the political nature of the expression being made. The notion that a psychological need for closure is associated with less approval of certain forms of political discourse has important democratic implications, especially given the documented link between need for cognitive closure and political conservatism.