The relationship between Openness to Experience and political ideology

The relationship between Openness to Experience and political ideology was tested in two adult samples, one in Belgium (N=100) and one in Poland (N=146). A Belgian sample of students (N=105) and political party members (N=80) was also studied. In accordance with previous investigations, significant negative correlations between Openness and right-wing political ideology were obtained in the Belgian adult sample as well as in the student sample. A rather weak but significant negative relationship was obtained in the Polish sample. Contrary to expectations, the relationship between Openness and ideology was not replicated in the political party sample. Analyses of the Openness facet scores indicated significant relationships between the Openness to Fantasy and Actions facets and the ideological variables. Openness to Feelings and Aesthetics were much weaker correlates of political ideology and correlations between Openness to ideas and political ideology were inconsistent.