The concept of the purity spiral originates from the field of social psychology and has been used to describe a phenomenon where individuals or groups become increasingly fixated on maintaining or demonstrating their moral purity, often to the point where it becomes irrational or extreme. The purity spiral is a phenomenon that occurs when individuals or groups become overly focused on maintaining ideological purity and begin to exclude those who don’t share their views to a sufficient degree. This can lead to a feedback loop where members of the group become increasingly extreme in their beliefs and actions, creating an environment where dissent or even questioning of the group’s ideology is viewed as a betrayal or a threat to the group’s identity.
The term “purity spiral” was first coined by the American sociologist and political scientist, Andrew R. Lewis, in his 2016 book “The Rights Turn in Conservative Christian Politics: How Abortion Transformed the Culture Wars”. In the book, Lewis used the concept to explain how some conservative Christians in the United States became increasingly obsessed with issues of moral purity, such as abortion and homosexuality, to the point where they were willing to compromise other principles, such as individual freedom or the separation of church and state, in order to maintain their sense of moral superiority.
Since then, the concept of a purity spiral has been applied in other contexts, including politics, social media, and even academia, to describe situations where individuals or groups become increasingly fixated on demonstrating their moral purity in these different realms, frequently at the expense of rationality, tolerance, or common sense.
Understanding the concept of a purity spiral is important for comprehending what is now referred to as “cultural wars”. “Cultural wars” typically refer to political or social conflicts that arise from differences in cultural values, beliefs, and practices. These conflicts can be rooted in a wide range of issues, including religion, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and political ideology where groups intend to demonstrate their moral purity over others.
In politics, for example, the concept of a purity spiral can help us understand how political factions become increasingly entrenched in their ideological positions, demonizing those who do not share their views and becoming more and more unwilling to compromise or engage in constructive dialogue. This can lead to political gridlock, social unrest, and even violence. People are more likely to identify with their political tribe and view those with different opinions as the enemy.
In social media and other online communities, the concept of a purity spiral can help us understand how certain groups become echo chambers, where dissenting views are quickly suppressed or censored, and groupthink becomes the norm. This can lead to the spread of misinformation, the reinforcement of stereotypes and biases, and the promotion of extreme or harmful ideologies.
In academia, the concept of a purity spiral can help us recognize how certain fields or disciplines can become ideologically homogenous, leading to the exclusion of dissenting views, the suppression of scientific inquiry, and the stifling of intellectual diversity. Cultural wars have influenced the content and delivery of education, with debates over issues such as evolution, sex education, and critical race theory often being at the center of these battles.
As mentioned previously, the purity spiral is rooted in all kinds of issues, and it can occur in any context where ideology is important, including politics, religion, and social movements. It is often fueled by a desire to signal one’s commitment to the group or cause, as well as by the fear of being ostracized or attacked by other members of the group for deviating from the accepted orthodoxy.
The danger of the purity spiral is that it can lead to the group becoming more insular, rigid, and intolerant of diversity in thought and dissent, which can ultimately undermine the group’s goals and lead to its downfall. It is important for individuals and groups to be open to constructive criticism and to engage in meaningful dialogue with those who hold different perspectives in order to avoid the negative consequences of the purity spiral. Besides the examples aforementioned, there are other examples of the purity spiral that can have dire consequences in current society:
- Cancel culture: Cancel culture is a term used to describe the practice of calling for the boycott or firing of individuals who are deemed to have violated social or political norms. Cancel culture can be seen as a manifestation of the purity spiral, as it often involves the targeting of individuals who are perceived to have deviated from accepted orthodoxy or who have been accused of holding “problematic” views.
- Social media echo chambers: Social media platforms can create echo chambers where people only interact with those who share their views, leading to a reinforcement of ideological purity. This can create an environment where dissenting views or opinions are dismissed or attacked, further entrenching the purity spiral.
- Identity politics: Identity politics is the practice of organizing political or social movements around particular identity categories, such as race, gender, or sexual orientation. While identity politics can be a powerful tool for marginalized communities to gain visibility and political power, it can also lead to a purity spiral, as individuals who do not conform to the dominant narrative or who hold divergent views may be excluded or marginalized.
- Religious fundamentalism: Religious fundamentalism is characterized by strict adherence to a particular religious doctrine or interpretation of scripture. Fundamentalism can lead to a purity spiral, as adherents may view any deviation from the “correct” interpretation as heresy or apostasy, leading to the exclusion or persecution of those who hold different views.
- Political polarization: Political polarization refers to the increasing ideological divide between political parties or groups. Polarization can lead to a purity spiral, as individuals may feel pressure to conform to the dominant narrative or risk being excluded from their social or political group. This can further entrench ideological differences and make compromise or dialogue more difficult.
This obsession with moral purity can have equally detrimental consequences for our mental health. For example, the pressure to conform to the group’s ideology and the fear of being ostracized or attacked for holding divergent views can lead to anxiety and depression. The constant need to monitor one’s own beliefs and behavior to ensure that they are in line with the group’s expectations can also be mentally exhausting.
Additionally, individuals obsessed with moral purity see the world in terms of “us versus them.” This can lead to a lack of empathy and understanding for those who hold different views, further exacerbating the divide between people. Furthermore, Individuals who are part of a purity spiral may experience cognitive dissonance when faced with evidence that contradicts their group’s ideology. This can lead to feelings of discomfort, anxiety, confusion, and anger.
It is important to be aware of our beliefs and how we think of ourselves as morally superior. History demonstrates the ease with which the ordinary person can commit reprehensible acts, especially during social crises. If you believe you are morally superior to others, you can dehumanize those who disagree with you, and you can justify almost anything done to them.
Undoubtedly, we love to think of ourselves as morally good, but in the words of the American Author James Baldwin (1924-1987): Nobody is more dangerous than he who imagines himself pure in heart, for his purity, by definition, is unassailable. After all, and according to the old adage, the road to hell can be paved with good intentions.
References
- Lewis, A. R. (2017). The rights turn in conservative Christian politics: How abortion transformed the culture wars. Cambridge University Press.
- Redfern, K., & Whatmore, R. (2020). History tells us that ideological ‘purity spirals’ rarely end well’. The Conversation.
