A psychological analysis of Donald Trump’s speech patterns shows how he triumphed over GOP rivals.

“(Trump used) substantially more grandiosity and substantially less formality, ranked highest for using first person pronouns, had greater vocal dynamics…”

Eric W. Dolan
PsyPost 17 Aug 2017
Photo: ABC/ Ida Mae Astute

Based on a study ‘Explaining Trump via communication style: Grandiosity, informality, and dynamism’ by Delroy L. Paulhus, University of British Columbia, together with Sara Ahmadian and Sara Azarshahi, published in Personality and Individual Differences.

“Research suggests that Donald Trump’s bombastic communication style was the key to his success during the 2016 Republican primary.

“The study found that Trump employed speech patterns that are often associated with narcissism…

“The researchers analyzed early campaign speeches of the top nine Republican presidential candidates… they found that Trump’s language contained substantially more grandiosity and substantially less formality than the rest of the candidates… Trump also ranked highest on the use of first person pronouns, had greater vocal dynamics, and used Twitter more often. ….

“The software analyses also singled out a dynamic vocal range, and a strong preference for simple, informal wording. All of these variables predicted the number of states won in the Republican primaries.”

Read Dolan’s full article: A psychological analysis of Donald Trump’s speech patterns