Brain Shape and Political Views

I’m going to start by providing the quote.

“Scientists have found that people with conservative views have brains with larger amygdalas, almond shaped areas in the centre of the brain often associated with anxiety and emotions.

On the other hand, they have a smaller anterior cingulate, an area at the front of the brain associated with courage and looking on the bright side of life.”

The conclusions are the result of scanning the brains of 90 college students. Of course since the scans were done on adults, it’s impossible to tell whether the political view shaped the brain or vice versa.

That conservatives are more prone to fear doesn’t particularly surprise me. Many conservative positions have at their root, fear. Fear of what they don’t understand, fear of people different from themselves and fear of change.