We test the possibility that political attitudes and behaviors are result of both environmental genetic factors. Employing standard methodological approaches in behavioral genetics—specifically, comparisons differential correlations monozygotic twins dizygotic twins—we analyze data drawn from a large sample United States, supplemented with findings Australia. The results indicate genetics plays an important role shaping ideologies but more modest forming party identification; as such, they...

Abstract Disputes between those holding differing political views are ubiquitous and deep-seated, they often follow common, recognizable lines. The supporters of tradition stability, sometimes referred to as conservatives, do battle with the innovation reform, liberals. Understanding correlates distinct orientations is probably a prerequisite for managing disputes, which source social conflict that can lead frustration even bloodshed. A rapidly growing body empirical evidence documents...

Although political views have been thought to arise largely from individuals' experiences, recent research suggests that they may a biological basis. We present evidence variations in attitudes correlate with physiological traits. In group of 46 adult participants strong beliefs, individuals measurably lower physical sensitivities sudden noises and threatening visual images were more likely support foreign aid, liberal immigration policies, pacifism, gun control, whereas displaying higher...

Abstract Originally developed to explain cultural variation in moral judgments, foundations theory (MFT) has become widely adopted as a of political ideology. MFT posits that attitudes are rooted instinctual evaluations generated by innate psychological modules evolved solve social dilemmas. If this is correct, must be relatively stable dispositional traits, changes should systematically predict consequent orientations, and, at least part, heritable. We test these hypotheses and find...

Disgust has been described as the most primitive and central of emotions. Thus, it is not surprising that shapes behaviors in a variety organisms contexts—including homo sapien politics. People who believe they would be bothered by range hypothetical disgusting situations display an increased likelihood displaying right-of-center rather than left-of-center political orientations. Given its primal nature essential value avoiding pathogens disgust likely effect even without registering...

In this article we propose that evolutionary biology can supply political science with a theory of the ultimate causes human preferences and behaviors it otherwise lacks. For most part, scientists are either unfamiliar social side or misidentify its key features. Far from being genetically deterministic leading exclusively to predictions all behavior will be selfish, modern theories stress adaptive is frequently characterized by guarded sort cooperation. We describe biological theory, offer...

Recent research has found a surprising degree of homogeneity in the personal political communication network individuals but this work focused largely on tendency to sort into likeminded social, workplace, and residential contexts. We extend line one most fundamental consequential interactions—that between sexual mates. Using data thousands spouse pairs United States, we investigate concordance among mates variety traits. Our findings show that physical personality traits display only weakly...

A variety of recent research has dealt with the impact economic conditions on congressional elections. The underlying assumption this been that effects fluctuations are distributed evenly across members president's party. By focusing subgroups candidates, we demonstrate importance varies widely. Specifically, show aggregate electoral margins incumbents far more responsive to than those for nonincumbents, and among in-party incumbents, relationship is stronger higher levels tenure. Further,...

With the 1970 passage of Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), federal regulation reached American workplace. Given newness legislation, any firm conclusion on its effectiveness seems premature. However, there is ample evidence safety a specific workplace: coal mine. The government has been directly involved in mining for over 35 years, operating under three major pieces enacted 1941, 1952, 1969. Opposing opinions regarding effect this legislation can be grouped into categories:...

In this paper, we trace the route by which genetics could ultimately connect to issue attitudes and suggest that central connection are chronic dispositional preferences for mass‐scale social rules, order, conduct—what label political ideology. The need resolve bedrock dilemmas concerning such matters as leadership style, protection from outgroups, degree norms of conduct malleable, is present in any large‐scale unit at time. This universality important it leaves open possibility influence...

Variance components estimates of political and social attitudes suggest a substantial level genetic influence, but the results have been challenged because they rely on data from twins only. In this analysis, we include responses parents nontwin full siblings twins, account for measurement error by using panel design, estimate environmental variance maximum‐likelihood structural equation modeling. By doing so, address central concerns critics, including that twin‐only design offers no...

Utilizing quantitative genetic models, the authors examine sources of party identification and intensity that identification. The results indicate genes exert little, if any, influence on identification, directly or indirectly through covariates. However, we find appear to play a pivotal role in shaping strength an individual’s Together with recent examinations political attitudes vote choice, these findings begin provide more complete picture source partisanship complex nature phenotype.

Political ideologies summarize dimensions of life that define how a person organizes their public and private behavior, including attitudes associated with sex, family, education, personal autonomy [1Jost J.T. Federico C.M. Napier J.L. ideology: its structure, functions, elective affinities.Annu. Rev. Psychol. 2009; 60: 307-337Crossref PubMed Scopus (1055) Google Scholar, 2Haidt J. The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Religion Politics. Pantheon, New York2012Google Scholar]....

Buried in many people and operating largely outside the realm of conscious thought are forces inclining us toward liberal or conservative political convictions. Our biology predisposes to see understand world different ways, not always reason careful consideration facts. These predispositions turn responsible for a significant portion ideological conflict that marks human history. With verve wit, renowned social scientists John Hibbing, Kevin Smith, Alford—pioneers field biopolitics—present...

This article reports results from the first twin study of adults in United States that focuses exclusively and comprehensively on political traits. These data allow us to test whether a common set genetic environmental influences act upon broad variety values, personality traits, attitudes. In short, it allows empirically investigate there are core predispositions form basis our orientations and, if so, these shaped by same innate forces. The key finding analysis is rooted distinct broader

Why are people more willing to accept some governmental decisions than others? In this article, we present results from a series of original experiments showing that people's reactions given outcome heavily influenced by the procedure employed produce outcome. We find subjects react much less favorably when decision maker intentionally keeps large payoff, thereby leaving subject with small same payoff based on chance or desert. Moreover, outcomes rendered makers who want be they do identical...

Evidence that political attitudes and behavior are in part biologically even genetically instantiated is much discussed science of late. Yet the classic twin design, a primary source evidence on this matter, has been criticized for being biased toward finding genetic influence. In article, we employ new data to test empirically alternative, exclusively environmental, explanations ideological similarities between twins. We find little support these argue if treat them as wholly correct, they...

Are political liberals generous? conservatives conscientious? generous people personally agreeable? Research in behavioral genetics and elsewhere increasingly indicates a biological basis for the manner which behave personal, interpersonal, situations, but this does not mean behavior these three very different contexts is correlated. In article, using an original data set obtained from nearly hundred subjects, authors are able to test degree temperaments related. As expected, overall...

This research examines the effects of relative congruence congressional districts and television markets on elections. We consider propositions concerning voters' information about evaluations candidates, drawing data from U.S. Census, Nielsen Station Index, CPS 1980 National Election Study. The findings indicate that market/district increases voter about, exposure to, familiarity with candidates. increase in works to challengers' advantage results challengers receiving a greater share vote...

Using data from the 1988 NES Senate Election Study, we address influence of size constituency population on constituents' expectations of, perceptions and support for elected officials. The Senate, with its wide variation in population, provides perfect opportunity to study these effects, Study is an appropriate source. Our analysis indicates that constituents lightly populated states are more likely report some form contact their senator, define performance senator terms pork-barrel...

In the past, most political scientists have been oblivious to growing empirical evidence challenging environmental determinism. Professor Charney, apparently as a result of fact that genes and environment interact in complex fashion, advocates this passive unawareness be replaced by active denial. Science, however, does not advance avoiding important relationships merely because they are complicated and, fortunately, science is heeding Charney's ideologically-based fears. Molecular...