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[Science] Conservatives, Liberals: nature or nurture?

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout: Debate & Discussion' started by B-Bob, Oct 14, 2008.

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  1. B-Bob

    B-Bob "94-year-old self-described dreamer"
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    Hate to break away from campaigns, acorns, and troopers, but I have not found this posted elsewhere (on first 7 pages):

    Science magazine paper on political attitudes

    So, as briefly as possible, let me try to explain this as I understand the research. This team from Nebraska did a very basic physiological test (e.g. testing body-response, not pscyhological per say) of various people with strong political views. The test was to show each member of the test group various images while monitoring the person's skin electrical conductivity. This conductivity changes dramatically when a person's skin gets moist, and this is basic biological "fear" response. They also used various noises in the test.

    So while most of the images (and noises) were just bland (e.g. landscapes or objects, soft tones), occasionally they would have an image like a face with a big spider on it or an abrupt, loud noise.

    The results showed that (with statistical significance) the more liberal subjects had very little physical response to the disturbing images/noises, while the more conservative subjects had more significant responses to those images/noises.

    This suggests that:

    *conservatives have a more natural, innate "fear" response
    *liberals have a suppressed "fear" response
    *this is a basic part of a person's neural wiring
    *political leanings are strongly linked to a genetic setting


    PLEASE NOTE: the authors do not have much a judgment about this, and I would caution anyone against being too judgmental about it. Seriously. A fear response is a pretty necessary part of a successful organism. Picture any mammal drinking water on the savana when lions are nearby. Fear will help you react quickly and save your own skin, while a lack of a fear response could result in you being somebody's lunch. Also note that these folks had a small sample size (only 46 people I think).

    This work has created a serious buzz in biology, but I haven't heard much about it in the mainstream. On the one hand, I want to dispute it (e.g. I am liberal and would freak out if I saw a spider on someone's face; I am a nervous dude); on the other hand, it makes a lot of sense in what we observe in the electorate, and it may really help explain why our discussions break down. There are just some fundamental differences in brain (or the amygdala, the "seat of fear" in the brain).

    Okay, I hope this thread does more harm than good for everyone's perspective. :eek: :)
     
    #1 B-Bob, Oct 14, 2008
  2. Invisible Fan

    Invisible Fan Member

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    I don't have a subscription to read the paper from the link.

    So in a Western shootout, the Conservative shoots first?
     
    #2 Invisible Fan, Oct 14, 2008
  3. B-Bob

    B-Bob "94-year-old self-described dreamer"
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    Only if the adversary has a spider on his face... :confused:
     
    #3 B-Bob, Oct 14, 2008
  4. durvasa

    durvasa Member

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    I wonder what this study would say about "bleeding heart" liberals?

    I think, on the whole, liberals tend to be more logic-oriented, and conservatives tend to be more emotion-oriented.

    There was an article posted some weeks back, I forget the author, who compared the moral values of conservatives to liberals. Conservatives tended put more importance on values such as "in-group" loyalty and purity. These results, in a way, seem to corroborate that.
     
    #4 durvasa, Oct 14, 2008
  5. halfbreed

    halfbreed Member

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    Are we talking liberal vs. conservative or "liberal" vs. "conservative" here?
     
    #5 halfbreed, Oct 14, 2008
  6. DonnyMost

    DonnyMost Member
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    #6 DonnyMost, Oct 14, 2008
  7. Invisible Fan

    Invisible Fan Member

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    I agree on social issues, but on fiscal issues, cons used to own the logical argument before Bush bumbled into the limelight.
     
    #7 Invisible Fan, Oct 14, 2008
  8. B-Bob

    B-Bob "94-year-old self-described dreamer"
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    #8 B-Bob, Oct 14, 2008
  9. DonnyMost

    DonnyMost Member
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    I feel so justified.

    I crapped all over someone's interesting thread.

    YES.
     
    #9 DonnyMost, Oct 14, 2008
  10. durvasa

    durvasa Member

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    I think arguments on either side can be "logical", depending on what the desired outcome is.

    So, some people consequentially look at 'Reaganomics" as a resounding success, and others look at it as a total failure. Each side could have very logical arguments -- they just care about different things.

    And I'd say that conservative fiscal arguments are generally more grounded in self-interest. As in -- "I earned this money, so I should have a right to decide what to do with it." I'm not saying that's necessarily wrong, but it is very much a base, emotional impulse. I mean, could you imagine trying to convince a child who worked for some money to give it up for the "good" of his brothers and sisters?
     
    #10 durvasa, Oct 14, 2008
  11. rimrocker

    rimrocker Member

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    I think liberals probably quickly figured out the "pattern" to the images and sounds and thus were able to logically prepare for them and not be surprised. Cons, on the other hand, would be more likely to be surprised the third, fourth, or tenth time.

    You could have achieved the same results with a basic IQ test. ;)
     
    #11 rimrocker, Oct 14, 2008
  12. Rashmon

    Rashmon Member

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    Did you ever wonder why conservatives employ fear mongering?
     
    #12 Rashmon, Oct 14, 2008
  13. rimrocker

    rimrocker Member

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    [​IMG]
     
    #13 rimrocker, Oct 14, 2008
  14. Rocket River

    Rocket River Member

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    Exactly. . those terms are almost meaningless now
    They are more just labels

    Rocket River
     
    #14 Rocket River, Oct 14, 2008
  15. basso

    basso Member
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    i find liberals scary...
     
    #15 basso, Oct 14, 2008
  16. B-Bob

    B-Bob "94-year-old self-described dreamer"
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    What if a liberal was on a person's face! :eek:

    Or you heard the sudden sound of a liberal.
     
    #16 B-Bob, Oct 14, 2008
  17. rimrocker

    rimrocker Member

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    We know.
     
    #17 rimrocker, Oct 14, 2008
  18. basso

    basso Member
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    i'd shoot 'em from a snowmobile.
     
    #18 basso, Oct 14, 2008
  19. B-Bob

    B-Bob "94-year-old self-described dreamer"
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    bravo! :D But I think from a helicopter would stand up in court better.
     
    #19 B-Bob, Oct 14, 2008
  20. BigBenito

    BigBenito Member

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    <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/eZv39r5cYI0&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/eZv39r5cYI0&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

    This video proves Obama is the most liberal person.... ever?
     
    #20 BigBenito, Oct 14, 2008
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