Abstract

Numerous studies examining political leadership assume that leadership traits remain static throughout one’s occupation in office. This study aims to reject leadership trait stability by investigating trait changes under crisis. Using Leadership Trait Analysis methodology, this study investigates the shifts in leadership traits before, during, and after crises. The research question asks do political leaders’ traits change under crisis? The study predicts that conceptual complexity, ability to control events, need for power, and in-group bias remain the same before and after crisis but increase during crisis. Four presidents (Kennedy, Obama, Roosevelt, and Bush) are investigated to test the hypothesis, with two examined before and after crisis and two examined before and during crisis. The results indicate that most leadership traits remained stable throughout crises, with some random shifts. However, three out of four presidents experienced an upwards shift in distrust of others. This research signifies that leaders could remain stable despite the context of decision-making under crisis while distrust of others increases as a result of extreme stakes, causing stress and therefore increasing distrust of others.

Advisor

Kille, Kent

Department

Political Science

Publication Date

2025

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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