The Fundamental Psychological Bias That Determines Your Politics


Are you on the right or the left? It could be down to this basic psychological bias.



Our position on the political spectrum — right, left or centrist — could be down to a deep-seated psychological bias in the way people think about the world.

That’s according to new research published in the journal Behavioral and Brain Sciences, which tested reactions to viewing negative stimuli, like people eating worms or maggot-infested wounds (Hibbing et al., 2014).

The study found that the more conservative people’s politics was, the more intense their reaction to these pictures.

The variation between people was quite striking: some people did not seem to mind the pictures that much, while others reacted strongly, with much higher levels of skin conductance, showing they were sweating more.

This finding, combined with other research from around the world, suggests our so-called ‘negativity bias’ — an automatic orientation towards negative aspects of our environments — may be at the heart of our place on the political spectrum.

The authors explain:

“Across research methods, samples and countries, conservatives have been found to be quicker to focus on the negative, to spend longer looking at the negative, and to be more distracted by the negative.” (Hibbing et al., 2014).

A higher negativity bias may lead some people — conservatives — to lean towards creating order and promoting stability.

A lower negatively bias may lead others — liberals — to prefer innovation and progress.



One of the study’s authors, John Alford of Rice University, said:

“These natural tendencies to perceive the physical world in different ways may in turn be responsible for striking moments of political and ideological conflict throughout history.”

The researchers are quick to point out that this is not a criticism of people who lean towards the right:

Everyone has a negativity bias: paying attention to negative events is likely to keep us alive longer.
Some research finds conservatives are happier.
Not a controversial conclusion

Kevin Smith of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, another of the study’s authors, said:

“We see the ‘negativity bias’ as a common finding that emerges from a large body of empirical studies done not just by us, but by many other research teams around the world.

We make the case in this article that negativity bias clearly and consistently separates liberals from conservatives.”

Amongst experts in the area, the findings do not appear particularly controversial.

The journal Behavioral and Brain Sciences asks other academics to comment on articles it publishes.

Of 26 commentaries published for this article, only three or four seriously disputed the findings.

The others were broadly supportive of the idea that people’s negativity bias has a crucial impact on their politics.

Political scientists John Hibbing, concluded by saying:

“Conservatives are fond of saying ‘liberals just don’t get it,’ and liberals are convinced that conservatives magnify threats.

Systematic evidence suggests both are correct.”

Being happier is good.

Interesting post. I am a conservative independent. I believe in self reliance and, from what I have seen personally, many social programs do as much harm as good. I firmly believe many of the ills of inner city poverty are directly caused by government programs and a direction of "lean on the government" rather than "stand on your own feet". I have helped pull some from the trap.

I have also directly seen illegal immagration take many jobs that were careers for citizens before. This change has covered almost the entire construction industry as well as yard care, etc. Many of these jobs were also starting points for US youth.

So yeah, I am one of those who say Liberals just don't "get it".

is there really no end to academic stupidity?

what a conundrum,,,,focusing on negativity makes one happier?

reasonable that only 'some' find that to be true and not 'most'


kudos to the op for presenting two seperate sides along with potential pros and cons for each

Focusing on the negative can lead one to avoiding that which is harmful. Less harm can result in more happiness.

I always present exactly what the SCIENCE says

but how can one avoid what is harmful if one is always' focused' on what is negative,,,,?

physical safety alone isn't what leads to happiness ,,,,,

I think focusing on what might be harmful can leave one SAFER, but I don't agree that safer translates into happier

plenty of people suffering from depression are shut ins whoa are pretty safe from actual physical harm, but depressed about all that is wrong none the less,,,,

Schadenfreunde (sp?)

It is like learning the side-effects of a medication before deciding whether or not to use it. Sometimes the side-effects are potentially worse than the problem that the medicine is supposed to solve.

It is also like shopping for a home. If the negatives of a place are too much of a headache to deal with, then it would be a mistake for the shopper to buy it despite any of the positives.

Focusing on the negatives can prevent buyer's remorse.

Schadenfreude (/ˈʃɑːdənfrɔɪdə/; German: [ˈʃaːdənˌfʁɔʏdə] ( listen)) is pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others.[1] This word is taken from German and literally means 'Harm-Joy'. It is the feeling of joy or pleasure when one sees another fail or suffer misfortune. It is also borrowed by some other languages.WIKI

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schadenfreude

I think you are equating 'focusing' with 'aknowledging',,,,which are different things,,,

Across research methods, samples and countries, conservatives have been found to be quicker to focus on the negative, to spend longer looking at the negative, and to be more distracted by the negative

And you are equating focusing on the negative with pessimism.

What they are describing is more like this. You buy a new BMW. The positive is that you get to drive a new BMW, show it off, have a luxurious car. The negative being the down payment and the monthly bill. Those he are more quickly to think about the negative of a given situation tend to avoid negative situations and thus be happier.

When Humans want instant gratification, they might focus on the immediate positives and not think much about the long-term negatives, and as a result, make a decision that they later regret.

thinking about is not the same as focusing on it

I think about the relationships I have been in with men, I also think about the two men who sexually assaulted me

however , I FOCUS on the overwhelming experience with men NOT being the sexual assault

I don't FOCUS on the assaults,,,

when humans FOCUS on a part of the picture instead of AKNOWLEDGING the picture as a whole, they may make poor decisions

that's why BALANCE is important

and FOCUSING only and specifically on the negatives is defeatist and non progressive,,,,it may keep you from taking a wrong step, but it also keeps you from taking a step PERIOD