The Political Brain, For Real

This story puts a whole new spin on the old left brain/right brain arguments. Could it really be that our political identities are formed more by how our brains work, than by tangible facts? Or do our political identities cause our brains to work differently than they would otherwise?

Either way, it's fascinating reading. Check it out:

[Excerpt]

Study finds left-wing brain, right-wing brain

Exploring the neurobiology of politics, scientists have found that liberals tolerate ambiguity and conflict better than conservatives because of how their brains work.In a simple experiment reported today in the journal Nature Neuroscience, scientists at New York University and UCLA show that political orientation is related to differences in how the brain processes information.

Previous psychological studies have found that conservatives tend to be more structured and persistent in their judgments whereas liberals are more open to new experiences. The latest study found those traits are not confined to political situations but also influence everyday decisions. . .

Read more at: LATimes.com