Individual differences in need for closure and voting behaviour

Two longitudinal studies investigated the relationship between dispositional need for closure and voting behaviour. It was hypothesized that need for closure was linearly related with voting for more conservative Italian parties. The first study (N = 243) was conducted during the 2004 European elections. The second study (N = 489) was conducted during the 2005 Italian Regional elections. Participants completed a measure of need for closure approximately four weeks before election day. After the elections participants reported their vote. Results of both studies provide evidence for a linear trend connecting need for closure and voting for conservative parties. Findings were discussed in light of the Conservatism as Motivated Social Cognition approach.