Study: Why Politicians Lie and Deny in Political Scandals

The age-old question of why politicians lie and deny when caught up in political scandal may have finally been answered, thanks to a groundbreaking study led by a University of Nebraska–Lincoln political scientist.

According to the study, politicians may choose to lie and deny wrongdoing because their supporters prefer a less-than-credible denial over losing political power and in-group status due to a discredited standard-bearer. The study, titled “On the Defensive: Identity, Language and Partisan Reactions to Political Scandal,” was published in May by the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.

Lead author Pierce Ekstrom, along with a team of researchers, conducted three separate experiments since 2013 to understand why partisans seem to have different standards for different politicians. The experiments involved over 3,000 participants and revealed that individuals were more likely to support a politician from their own party, even in the face of hostile denials, if the politician was seen as crucial to the party’s success.

The study found that denials from politicians generated more favorable responses from participants who shared the wrongdoer’s party affiliation. In fact, politicians who denied wrongdoing were 12% more likely to maintain the support of people from their own party compared to those who remained silent or apologized.

The results of the study suggest that partisans are willing to overlook misconduct from their party leaders if it means furthering party goals. This phenomenon was consistent across various scenarios, including accusations of drunk driving, embezzlement, and tax evasion.

In light of these findings, Ekstrom emphasized the importance of citizens being honest with themselves about the behaviors they expect from their leaders. He urged individuals to establish clear boundaries for acceptable conduct from politicians before scandals arise, as the study shows that people are inclined to move the goalposts for politicians from their own party.

The study sheds light on the complex dynamics at play when politicians are caught up in scandal and offers valuable insights into why supporters may be willing to overlook or defend questionable behavior. As the political landscape continues to evolve, understanding these motivations may be crucial in holding leaders accountable and maintaining the integrity of the political process.