Study: Conservatives focus on Negative, Liberals focus on Positive

[CptStern]

in retrospect it kinda seems self evident

In a series of experiments, researchers from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln closely monitored physiological reactions and eye movements of study participants when shown combinations of both pleasant and unpleasant images. Conservatives reacted more strongly to, fixated more quickly on, and looked longer at the unpleasant images; liberals had stronger reactions to and looked longer at the pleasant images compared with conservatives.

http://scienceblog.com/51426/biolog...with-the-good-conservatives-confront-the-bad/

Conservatives reacted more strongly to, fixated more quickly on, and looked longer at the unpleasant images

must have been pics of dicks ..or chicks with dicks

 

[Stigmata]

More accurately: self-identified [political leaning], and on average. But it's still rather true, since one's political beliefs are directly and intimately related to worldview and perspective, and might even be simple extensions of them.

 

[Mr Stabby]

It depends on how you define conservative and liberal. Conservatism used to be about pessimism and a distrust of humanity, but in the modern american kooky religious sense, I'm not if that's true.

 

[CptStern]

I think in this case they literally mean party affiliation as they mention democrats and republicans

 

[Mr Stabby]

Edmund Burke in his book Reflections on the French Revolution, did essentially make the argument, that liberals/leftists ignore the dangers flaws in humanity, and liberalism/leftism will lead to chaos. When he said liberal he was including what we now call libertarians along with proto-socialists.

 

[Maestro]

Was Edmund Burke a populist?

 

[The Monkey]

The silly American division in liberal and conservative is both outdated and contra-productive. In terms of economic policy, the GOP is actually far more liberal than the Democrats.

 

[CptStern]

Edmund Burke in his book Reflections on the French Revolution, did essentially make the argument, that liberals/leftists ignore the dangers flaws in humanity, and liberalism/leftism will lead to chaos. When he said liberal he was including what we now call libertarians along with proto-socialists.

Edmund Burke PC (12 January 1729– 9 July 1797)

things have changed a little since then. also "liberal" in the context of the democratic party in the US is closer to center than left leaning liberal.

 

[RakuraiTenjin]

In today's political world the terms are even evolving in the mainstream media.

For example: 'classic' conservatives like Reagan and Barry Goldwater wouldn't be seen as staunch conservatives if they existed today, I imagine.

I think in the media CURRENTLY, liberal applies to pro regulatory, keynesian fiscal policies, while conservative applies to socially conservative. They don't even know what to title positions like Ron Paul's. 'Conservatives' libel him a liberal because he's against the (federal) government interfering with social issues, while liberals label him a hardline conservative for wanting to drastically shrink the government and limit the federal government's power.

 

[Mr Stabby]

Edmund Burke PC (12 January 1729– 9 July 1797)

things have changed a little since then. also "liberal" in the context of the democratic party in the US is closer to center than left leaning liberal.

Burke is still the intellectual godfather of post-fuedalism conservatism.

 

[CptStern]

ok but that's not all that relevant here

 

[Mr Stabby]

Its is, becuase the main ponit he makes is that there are problems with human nature, he highlights the negative aspects of humanity. Which is conservatisim in a nutshell, guarding agianst changes to society caused by percieved negative influences.

 

[RakuraiTenjin]

Its is, becuase the main ponit he makes is that there are problems with human nature, he highlights the negative aspects of humanity. Which is conservatisim in a nutshell, guarding agianst changes to society caused by percieved negative influences.

It depends though. What about conservatives that are for changing current policies. EG: From socialism to free market.

 

[Mr Stabby]

free markets aren't new, so they would be returning to an old system. Although the Ayn Randian form of ruthless self interest is new, and by no means conservative in the European sense of the word, it's closer to anarchism.