Red Brain, Blue Brain: Evaluative Processes Differ in Democrats and Republicans

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0052970
• Publication Date: 2013-02-13T22:17:49Z
• Authors: Darren Schreiber; Greg Fonzo; Alan N. Simmons; Christopher T. Dawes; Taru Flagan; James H. Fowler; Martin P. Paulus
• Keywords: Posterior cingulate

Liberals and conservatives exhibit different cognitive styles converging lines of evidence suggest that biology influences differences in their political attitudes beliefs. In particular, a recent study young adults suggests liberals have significantly brain structure, with showing increased gray matter volume the anterior cingulate cortex, amygdala. Here, we explore function by matching publicly-available voter records to 82 subjects who performed risk-taking task during functional imaging. Although behavior Democrats (liberals) Republicans (conservatives) did not differ, activity did. showed greater left insula, while right fact, two parameter model partisanship based on amygdala insula activations yields better fitting than well-established parental socialization party identification long thought be one core findings science. These results engage processes when they think about risk, support show sensitivity threatening stimuli.