Echo Chambers and Ethics: Is Your Happiness a Product of Your Politics?

Publication Date

Spring 4-22-2026

Presentation Length

Poster/Gallery presentation

College

College of Sciences & Mathematics

Department

Psychological Science, Department of

Student Level

Undergraduate

Faculty Mentor

Adam Smiley

Metadata/Fulltext

Metadata ONLY

Presentation Type

Poster

Summary

Psychological research suggests that adhering to traditional norms can provide a sense of stability that fosters well-being (Eriksson, 2018). However, this relationship is often filtered through an individual’s political "echo chamber" (Nelson & Garst, 2005). Recent findings indicate a "happiness gap," where conservative leanings often correlate with higher reported emotional well-being than liberal counterparts (Karnaze et al., 2023). This study investigates whether the relationship between strict ethical norms and happiness is moderated by an individual’s political culture and regime preference. Utilizing open source data from the World Values Survey (Wave 7), this study examines the intersection of ethics and ideology. A multiple linear regression will test for moderation to determine if the effect of ethical values on happiness shifts across the political spectrum. Additionally, an exploratory t-test will evaluate if perceived government corruption differs significantly between left-leaning and right-leaning participants. These findings will hope to clarify whether the happiness boost in specific political groups stems from the stability of strict ethical frameworks, contributing to a more nuanced understanding of how political culture shapes personal well-being. Research is ongoing and results will be discussed during the SURS presentation.

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