Since President Donald Trump took office, there has been a great deal of chaos and uncertainty within the administration, which has caused many individuals to feel unsettled. According to political scientists, this chaos-seeking behavior is likely stemming from people’s fear of losing their place in society, which has been exacerbated by rising inequality and globalization. A study conducted by Kevin Arceneaux and his team found that about 15 percent of the U.S. population gravitates toward chaos, desiring a new beginning through the destruction of order and established structures. Some individuals are keen on generating mayhem without concern for who may be hurt in the process, while others desire chaos but do not intend harm.
The research conducted by Arceneaux sheds light on the personality traits of chaos-seekers, indicating that ego plays a significant role in motivating individuals to seek chaos. Those who exhibit a high need for chaos feel that they are not being respected as much as they should be, leading them to seek disruption. However, this propensity for chaos is not a personality trait but rather a character adaptation that helps individuals respond to specific contexts. Factors such as rising inequality and globalization contribute to making people feel insecure, prompting those with darker personality traits to increase chaos-seeking behavior.
Chaos-seeking behavior does not align with any particular political ideology, as evidenced by the lack of correlation between chaos levels and voting for Donald Trump in the 2016 and 2020 elections. However, preliminary findings suggest that in the 2024 election, those who scored high on the chaos scale were more likely to vote for Trump. The research also indicates that chaos seekers tend to be white and male, with white men exhibiting the strongest correlation between status loss and the desire for chaos. On the other hand, minority groups such as Black individuals are more likely to prioritize the group over individual needs.
During the 2024 election, Arceneaux and his team conducted a study that found that individuals who feel low in status are more likely to exhibit a high need for chaos. This is consistent with the concept of relative deprivation, where people compare their status to others and feel deprived when they perceive inequality. Arceneaux suggests that listening to individuals who feel disenfranchised and addressing their concerns may help mitigate the chaos that they seek. He also emphasizes the importance of understanding why people are unhappy with democratic institutions, as this can inform strategies to address their grievances and prevent further chaos. Ultimately, studying chaos-seeking behavior provides insights into the motivations behind societal disruption and offers potential solutions to manage chaos effectively.
