Biology and political orientation

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A number of studies have found that human biology can be linked with political orientation.[1] This means that an individual's biology may predispose them to a particular political orientation and ideology or, conversely, that subscription to certain ideologies may predispose them to measurable biological and health outcomes.

Studies have found that subjects with right-wing (or conservative in the United States) political views have larger amygdalae,[2] report larger social networks and greater happiness than liberals, are more prone to express disgust to moral infringements and are more sensitive to perceived threats.[3][4] Those with left-wing (or liberal in the United States) political views are more likely to report greater relationship dissatisfaction and emotional distress than conservatives, to show more openness to experience as well as greater tolerance for uncertainty and disorder.[5][6]

Genetic factors account for at least some of the variation of political views.[7][8] From the perspective of evolutionary psychology, conflicts regarding redistribution of wealth may have been common in the ancestral environment and humans may have developed psychological mechanisms for judging their own chances of succeeding in such conflicts. These mechanisms may affect political views. However, many of the studies linking biology to politics remain controversial and unreplicated.[9][10]

  1. ^ Jost, John T.; Amodio, David M. (13 November 2011). "Political ideology as motivated social cognition: Behavioral and neuroscientific evidence" (PDF). Motivation and Emotion. 36 (1): 55–64. doi:10.1007/s11031-011-9260-7. S2CID 10675844.
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  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference JJ2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Dolan, Eric W. (2024-04-10). "Genetic variations help explain the link between cognitive ability and liberalism". PsyPost - Psychology News. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  8. ^ Kleppesto, Thomas Haarklau; Czajkowski, Nikolai Olavi; Sheehy-Skeffington, Jennifer; Vassend, Olav; Roysamb, Espen; Eftedal, Nikolai Haahjem; Kunst, Jonas R.; Ystrom, Eivind; Thomsen, Lotte (2024-02-22). "The genetic underpinnings of right-wing authoritarianism and social dominance orientation explain political attitudes beyond Big Five personality". Journal of Personality. doi:10.1111/jopy.12921. hdl:10852/111202. ISSN 0022-3506. PMID 38386613.
  9. ^ Buchen, Lizzie (2012). "Biology and ideology: The anatomy of politics". Nature. 490 (7421): 466–468. Bibcode:2012Natur.490..466B. doi:10.1038/490466a. PMID 23099382.
  10. ^ Davies, James (1983). "The Proper Biological Study of Politics". Political Psychology. 4 (4): 731–743. doi:10.2307/3791065. JSTOR 3791065.