Here’s a provocative study on the psychological underpinnings of our current political divide. It may be that understanding human psychology will tell us more about who is a conservative or a liberla in today’s world. Money quote from Psychology Today:
We tend to believe our political views have evolved by a process of rational thought, as we consider arguments, weigh evidence, and draw conclusions. But the truth is more complicated. Our political preferences are equally the result of factors we’re not aware of‚Äîsuch as how educated we are, how scary the world seems at a given moment, and personality traits that are first apparent in early childhood. Among the most potent motivators, it turns out, is fear. How the United States should confront the threat of terrorism remains a subject of endless political debate. But Americans’ response to threats of attack is now more clear-cut than ever. The fear of death alone is surprisingly effective in shaping our political decisions‚Äîmore powerful, often, than thought itself.
The Dish 