The role of motivational cultural intelligence as a protective factor against political violence
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Abstract
Given the rise of violent extremism, it is crucial to explore protective factors that may mitigate such behaviors. This research investigates the role of cultural intelligence as a potential protective factor against political violence. Grounded in significance quest theory, it examines whether the quest for personal significance predicts support for political violence via the need for cognitive closure (H1). It also tests whether motivational cultural intelligence moderates this relationship: individuals with higher cultural intelligence may be less likely to seek cognitive closure under existential uncertainty, thus reducing support for violence (H2). Two studies were conducted. In Spain (n = 257; 71.98% women, Mage = 34, SD = 13.2), moderation analyses were used to test H2. In Israel (n = 322; 55.59% women, Mage = 36.4, SD = 12.7), both hypotheses were examined through moderated mediation analyses. Results showed that motivational cultural intelligence moderates the link between significance quest and need for cognitive closure. High cultural intelligence weakened the association between significance quest and cognitive closure, reducing support for political violence –but only when the quest for significance was low. When significance quest was high, it predicted support for violence via cognitive closure, regardless of cultural intelligence. These findings suggest that while cultural intelligence can be protective, its effect may be overridden by strong existential needs. Interest in learning from other cultures appears to buffer against political violence, but once the need for significance is activated, it may dominate other motivations and foster rigid thinking, ultimately increasing support for violence.
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