The Psychological Foundations of Ideology: Developing an Integrative Theoretical Framework

The concept of ideology has traditionally been explored within sociological and political disciplines and has recently attracted attention from psychologists and neuroscientists. Despite this broadened interest, the study of ideology remains relatively inconsistent and often confined within disciplinary boundaries, rendering it an elusive concept. We contend that traditional ontological and epistemological approaches do not fully capture the psychological complexity of ideology, thereby limiting their effectiveness in understanding ideological phenomena. To address this limitation, we advocate for a deeper psychological exploration of ideology, focusing on the most fundamental aspects of the human mind. To contribute to this effort, we conducted a review of the literature on the psychological dimensions of ideology, selecting studies that highlight universal psychological aspects. By synthesizing diverse theories and perspectives, we developed a framework that delineates the psychological foundations of ideology. This framework identifies three principal psychological dimensions: needs and impulses, emotions, and moral foundations. We outline these dimensions as fundamental to many forms of political, social, and religious ideology. By integrating these aspects, we propose a conceptualization that facilitates the study of ideologies from their most basic psychological components. Focusing primarily on the individual psychological level, our framework also supports interdisciplinary collaboration and the integration of different levels of analysis—individual, group, and societal. Open to further adaptations and expansion, this framework contributes to a more grounded conceptualization and investigation of one of the most important yet ambiguous constructs in the social sciences