Political threat motivates citizens to learn about politics while enthusiasm drives involvement.

Evidence

We would like to suggest that emotion is a catalyst for political learning. In particular, the analyses we shall present argue that threat powerfully motivates citizens to learn about politics. On the face of it, our proposition makes too much sense to ignore. Generally inattentive to political matters, citizens may require sharp notice before they become motivated to learn anything new. And at least at the intuitive level, threat seems as good a spur to action as any. In addition, we suggest that the ability of political leaders to generate enthusiasm stimulates political involvement. — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 1659

Categorization

• DEFINE: Introduces the chapter’s two-part thesis: threat drives learning, enthusiasm drives involvement.