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Conservatives are wimps according to Scientists = Science is bad = Teach creationism in schools.
… participants were then given two laboratory tests, to establish their physiological responses to frightening or unexpected stimuli. In the first test, they viewed 33 images, three of which were distressing or threatening: a large spider on the face of a frightened person; a dazed person with a bloody face; and maggots in an open wound. The scientists measured the electrical conductance of the skin, a standard measure of distress and arousal.
In the second test, the volunteers were subjected to a loud, unexpected noise, with scientists measuring the involuntary blinking that followed. A strong startle response is indicative of heightened fear and arousal. The results, which are published in the journal Science, revealed significant differences in both responses, which corresponded with people’s political views. Those with “markedly lower physical sensitivity to sudden noises and threatening visual images” tended to support liberal positions, while those with strong responses tended to be more conservative.
This would fit with the hypothesis that people who have more fearful responses to perceived threats are more likely to be conservative, while those who have weaker responses develop more liberal views.
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/09/20/conservatives-they-scare-easily/
September 20, 2008 in BITCHING & SCHEMING | Permalink
Comments
How were the labels "conservative" and "liberal" applied to the subjects?
And how exactly does the startle response equate to fear? Fear that dictates political views?
I think if you blindly accept that you are a bit too eager to agree with the "conclusion." Who's to say the scientists were probably looking for a way to prove a liberal talking point?
It would seem to me that looking at pictures of dazed, bloody people and maggots eating wounds SHOULD elicit a response from people. But since pictures don't threaten harm to people, I would say that the emotion "quantified" by skin conductivity tests (ridiculous) is something more like empathy.
If I were a psychologist and I showed a series of disturbing pictures to a group of people I would be a bit more worried about the group that didn't have their stress and arousal levels raised, wouldn't you? Before I even administered the stimuli to the first person, I would posit that a normal response to seeing maggots in a wound or a bloody person WOULD be elevated stress levels. Could a conservative draw negative conclusions about liberals based on this?
If you have an agenda you can twist this "study" any way you wish, provided that you can vouch for the science of it all. To me it fails at basic rigor.
Posted by: Chaz | Sep 20, 2008 11:09:39 PM
come on Chaz. I baited you.
Posted by: humidhaney | Sep 21, 2008 12:50:26 AM
That's interesting. Last night I knew somebody was baiting somebody. I just didn't think it was you and that I was the one taking the bait.
Posted by: Chaz | Sep 21, 2008 7:40:31 AM
I always knew conservatives were wimps. This only further proves it.
BTW--in all fairness, the researchers objectively stated that the findings could also translate "Liberals" "lack" of reactions as.... well, if you want to know, go read the research....;)
Posted by: Banzai Bill | Sep 21, 2008 8:19:41 PM

