Cognitive neuroscientist Hanneke den Ouden explains that your brain has to simplify the situation during almost all your choices; you can barely ever consider all the details at play during a choice. On top of that, the less control you experience over a situation, the more impulsive your choice becomes.
Are you in control of your environment?
When it comes to voting, you might feel a sense of powerlessness in a few ways. One way is asking, "Does my choice make a difference?" According to Den Ouden, 'Stress diminishes your feeling of control.' In moments of stress, you're more likely to make snap decisions since your brain has less information to draw on. Skipping out of the voting booth can be such an impulsive decision.
It’s nearly impossible to fully agree with every stance, so you prioritise what matters most to you
When politicians build on fear
Another way you experience powerlessness when voting is the doomsday scenarios spread by US politicians, often from populist backgrounds. Statements like "If you don't vote for me, the 'illegal' Mexicans will soon take all our jobs" create a sense of urgency and fear. According to Den Ouden, these politicians produce a mindset where anything could happen, leading to a stressful atmosphere. While some individuals might be more sensitive to this than others, the impact is widespread. When Trump shouts during these tense moments, "We're gonna build a tremendous wall and make the Mexicans pay for it," it appears to offer a straightforward solution—precisely what the brain craves when dominated by feelings of powerlessness.
The US electoral system is stressful
'In the US, the two-party system forces you to make multiple choices simultaneously, often leaving you without real influence. It’s nearly impossible to agree with every stance fully, so you prioritise what matters most to you,' says Den Ouden. You have one choice in the US if you choose the party that is pro-abortion, for example. In contrast, the Netherlands offers a variety of choices for those who are pro-abortion, allowing you to find a party that aligns with your views on other issues as well. 'It could well be that this two-party system enables populists to come to power even faster; it is easier to campaign on one issue and simplify the choices,' Den Ouden thinks.
By addressing incorrect statements immediately during debates, we can effectively combine the lie and its correction into a single memory
Mindfulness
Are we powerless when it comes to feeling powerless? Not at all! Den Ouden shares some effective strategies for staying calm during the voting process. One of these strategies is meditation. 'It might sound a bit odd, but the essence of meditation and mindfulness is to foster a sense of calm and perspective. You allow thoughts to come and go without letting them immediately affect you,' explains Den Ouden. This practice could help diminish the sense of being overwhelmed and out of control.
Don't give fear a chance
Unfortunately, there is not much Americans can do about the stress caused by the US two-party system. However, Den Ouden raises an interesting point about the impact of real-time fact-checking during debates rather than addressing misinformation afterwards. 'Politicians increasingly make false claims, and those statements shouldn’t be allowed to linger,' Den Ouden remarks. When you hear something, it sticks with you. Even if it’s proven wrong a week later, that initial information can resurface without the necessary correction.
'By addressing incorrect statements immediately during debates, we can effectively combine the lie and its correction into a single memory,' Den Ouden suggests. This approach could reduce the influence of politicians’ untruths on voters’ decisions.
It hopefully gives US citizens more control over the situation, but choosing between two people on 5 November, when so much is at stake, remains a complex puzzle, almost inhuman.
Read more about the US election
On November 5, 2024, the United States will elect a new president. Will Donald Trump or Kamala Harris win this race for the presidency? And how do our researchers interpret this significant event? You can read everything about it on Radboud Recharge!