Political orientation correlates with brain differences

In summary, Conservatives have thicker anterior cingulate while liberals have more pronounced right amygdalas.
  • #36
I'd like to add further nuance to the discussion. I often find that I strongly identify with the goals of liberals but am so skeptical of their execution now that I can't possibly support them by voting. I voted a red ticket in the midterm except for the governor whom I happen to think is very good at his job. Technically a democrat, he has all the traits of an independent. Prior to the 2008 election I always voted blue.

So, what does it mean to want to be liberal but be so pragmatic as to actually be a conservative?

(I want to believe in free lunches, but I just can't.)
 
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  • #37
FlexGunship said:
I'd like to add further nuance to the discussion. I often find that I strongly identify with the goals of liberals but am so skeptical of their execution now that I can't possibly support them by voting. I voted a red ticket in the midterm except for the governor whom I happen to think is very good at his job. Technically a democrat, he has all the traits of an independent. Prior to the 2008 election I always voted blue.

So, what does it mean to want to be liberal but be so pragmatic as to actually be a conservative?

(I want to believe in free lunches, but I just can't.)

re: bolded... I'm fairly sure that's the definition of a realistic person who still wants a world that's better than any we've had before. Your lifetime of experience, added to a study of history would make you a fool to believe that our brand of liberals are no more likely to get us there than our conservatives are to stop teenage pregnancy and naughty thoughts.
 
  • #38
nismaratwork said:
I'm fairly sure that's the definition of a realistic person who still wants a world that's better than any we've had before.

It's always possible to conceive of a truly great idea for which there is no valid path of execution.
 
  • #39
Galteeth said:
Are political beliefs hard wired? What a poorly phrased question. It seems to imply that these brain differences were genetically based.

Can't be. I've been both a Democrat as well as a Republican.

Without a brain change.
 
  • #40
mugaliens said:
Can't be. I've been both a Democrat as well as a Republican.

Without a brain change.

Are you sure? :wink: I mean, really, you can't have done before and after scans of these particular regions. Anyway, you're clearly more flexible and intelligent than most people... and therefore a statistical long shot unsuitable for a study of this type. You are... ineligible! :smile:
 

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