Researchers help define what makes a political conservative

[Renew Deal]

By Kathleen Maclay, Media Relations | 22 July 2003 (revised 7/25/03)

BERKELEY – Politically conservative agendas may range from supporting the Vietnam War to upholding traditional moral and religious values to opposing welfare. But are there consistent underlying motivations?

Four researchers who culled through 50 years of research literature about the psychology of conservatism report that at the core of political conservatism is the resistance to change and a tolerance for inequality, and that some of the common psychological factors linked to political conservatism include:

Fear and aggression

Dogmatism and intolerance of ambiguity

Uncertainty avoidance

Need for cognitive closure

Terror management
"From our perspective, these psychological factors are capable of contributing to the adoption of conservative ideological contents, either independently or in combination," the researchers wrote in an article, "Political Conservatism as Motivated Social Cognition," recently published in the American Psychological Association's Psychological Bulletin.
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http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2003/07/22_politics.shtml

[brainshrub]

1. What about Liberals?

I'm sure there is stuff on us? (I didn't see anything in the article.)

[Gman]

2. Conservatism Disorder

is the disease. I wonder if there is an effective treatment. I could begin to list possible therapies along with possible medications, but decorum prohibits.

[Skittles]

3. being a complete asshole is a good start

nt

[Anakin Skywalker]

4. Are People Born Assholes?

I think that the rich ones like Shrub are :) They have a sense of entitlement from day one. If you disagree with them, they get really pissed because they were brought up to believe that they are supposed to have their way in everything.