Liberals & Conservatives ARE Wired Different
Liberals & Conservatives ARE Wired Different
By Karen Tate
Observed Experience
Who hasn’t confided to their most trusted friends their amazement at how different some people are in terms of what seems to be clearly black and white issues: Truth vs Misinformation, Democracy vs. Authoritarianism, Science vs Lack of Knowledge, Domination vs Partnership, Equality vs Inequality, Patriarchy vs Egalitarianism, Cruelty vs Compassion, Critical Thinking and NOT. Well, it turns out there is some science behind our general differences, but we have to realize there are exceptions to the ideas compiled in this writing about liberal and conservative brain construction and thinking styles. What’s being presented is group differences, not individual differences so this isn’t absolute, but I think you’ll find this concurs with much of what you’ve probably observed and experienced.
Meaningful and Non-Threatening
And I’ll jump to one important final conclusion before we dive in: Each side is going to have to recognize that not everyone thinks like them, processes information like them or values the same types of things because of their brain structure and thinking style. This is important as we move forward and attempt to find common ground because we want to be able to share information so that it comes across in a meaningful and non-threatening way. We have to be able to listen and hear each other.
Does Size Matter?
So, it turns out there are physical differences in the brains of liberals and conservatives. Studies have shown liberals have more gray matter in their anterior cingulated cortex (ACC) and they have a smaller amygdala. Conservatives have a larger amygdala. Why is this important? It means the two groups process facts and ideas differently. For instance, during a study of risk-taking behavior, it was found that Democrats showed significantly greater activity in the left insula, while Republicans showed significantly greater activity in the right amygdala. Similarly, it was found that greater liberalism was associated with increased gray matter volume in the anterior cingulate cortex, whereas greater conservatism was associated with increased volume of the right amygdala.
Processing Facts
Translated into non-brain structure talk: The psychological studies document differences in how liberals and conservatives process facts, interpret situations, feel fear and disgust, and even how well they sleep. Conservatives are less likely than liberals to be able to distinguish between facts and falsehoods, while also apportioning a similar amount of legitimacy to scientific and non-scientific viewpoints. Liberals show greater cognitive flexibility than conservatives, think more analytically, and use more effortful and deliberate reasoning, meaning they can more easily adapt to a changing situation and are more tolerant of ambiguity. Conservatives are more risk-averse than liberals and are more likely to respond to, and remember, negative stimuli.
