The Ideological Animal

[NewsTeam]

Our politics are only partly shaped by reason.

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[Louie]

Interesting article, great read.

[GOD]

Hmm.... I think this psychologist is a bit of track and isn't a conservative to start with so he doesn't understand the mindset.. anyway, you can see psychological traits in the different political opinions.

found that conservatives have a greater desire to reach a decision quickly and stick to it, and are higher on conscientiousness, which includes neatness, orderliness, duty, and rule-following. Liberals are higher on openness, which includes intellectual curiosity, excitement-seeking, novelty, creativity for its own sake, and a craving for stimulation like travel, color, art, music, and literature.

Thats the J trait.

Liberals, on the other hand, are "more likely to see gray areas and reconcile seemingly conflicting information," says Jost. As a result, liberals like John Kerry, who see many sides to every issue, are portrayed as flip-floppers. "Whatever the cause, Bush and Kerry exemplify the cognitive styles we see in the research," says Jack Glaser, one of the study's authors, "Bush in appearing more rigid in his thinking and intolerant of uncertainty and ambiguity, and Kerry in appearing more open to ambiguity and to considering alternative positions."

F and P.


"Conservatism is a more black and white ideology than liberalism," explains Jost. "It emphasizes tradition and authority, which are reassuring during periods of threat."

Don't agree with this, liberals began realising that their head in the clouds ideology is a dangerous thing. Beware of smiling crocodiles. Some cultures on this planet are fanaticises, liberals wouldn't even have freedom of speech in any guise... it’s the conservatives that have fought for this freedom.