People hold contradictory stereotypes about right-wingers just as they do about leftists

Evidence

Some social scientists have accused right-wingers in particular of holding contradictory stereotypes (Adorno et al., 1950). But this sword cuts both ways, and people may in turn hold contradictory beliefs about right-wingers. For example, how can right-wing types be quite gullible but also suspicious to the point of paranoia? How can they strongly favor individual freedom while also wanting to “escape from freedom,” letting dictators tell them what to do? — Bob Altemeyer, The Authoritarian Specter, 87

Categorization

• SEED: The contradiction-loaded questions about right-wing psychology (gullible yet paranoid, freedom-loving yet authoritarian) are a strong essay frame for interrogating political stereotypes on both sides.
• XREF: connects to: Partisans hold systematic misperceptions that exaggerate their opponents’ extremism and hostility. — Rachel Hartman et al., Interventions to Reduce Partisan…, 30