Subscribe free to our newsletters via your
. Earth Science News .




DEMOCRACY
The politics of disgust: Reactions of shock predict voting habits
by Brooks Hays
Washington (UPI) Oct 29, 2014


disclaimer: image is for illustration purposes only

If anything, you'd think disgust would be one thing the average voter -- both Democrats and Republicans -- had in common. But a new study suggests how a person reacts to a single disgusting image can reveal the person's political leanings, either liberal or conservative.

Researchers at Virginia Tech came to their conclusion after showing disgusting imagery while participants brain activity was recorded using functional magnetic resonance imagery, or an fMRI machine. After the images were collected, researchers compared the results to each participant's political persuasions, as measured by a test called the Wilson Patterson inventory. Their analysis -- aided by computer modeling -- found a predictable relationship between the fMRI images and the political survey results.

"A single disgusting image was sufficient to predict each subject's political orientation," study author P. Read Montague, a researcher at Virginia Tech, said in a press release. "I haven't seen such clean predictive results in any other functional imaging experiments in our lab or others."

Montague says the study doesn't mean politics are entirely heritable. Ideological leanings can be influenced by a number cultural and socio-economic factors, he admits. But understanding political leaning as at least partly inherited, might help us better understand our fellow citizens.

"If we can begin to see that some 'knee-jerk' reactions to political issues may be simply that -- reactions -- then we might take the temperature down a bit in the current boiler of political discourse," he added.

The research, which was detailed this week in the science journal Current Biology, builds on previous studies that have come to similar conclusions. A 2011 study that looked a skin conductivity as a measurement of disgust found those who identified as politically conservative were more likely to be disgusted by icky images. Another study found jurors who felt disgust and anger towards graphic imagery presented in trial were more likely to be convinced of a person's guilt.


Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only


.


Related Links
Democracy in the 21st century at TerraDaily.com






Comment on this article via your Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail login.

Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle




Memory Foam Mattress Review
Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily
XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News





DEMOCRACY
One month into HK protests, defiance on the streets
Hong Kong (AFP) Oct 28, 2014
A month into the mass pro-democracy protests gripping Hong Kong, the movement is under pressure to keep up momentum - but those on the streets say their vigil has already changed the city for good. On September 28, chaotic street battles in one of Asia's premier financial hubs saw umbrella-wielding demonstrators choking on clouds of police tear gas. The ugly scenes triggered a wave of ... read more


DEMOCRACY
British police pay mother of spy's child

Philippines' Aquino criticises typhoon rebuilding delays

Natural disasters killed over 22,000 in 2013: Red Cross

Rescuers airlift 154 to safety after deadly Nepal storm

DEMOCRACY
'Cloud' lifts Microsoft earnings above expectations

E-waste inferno burning brighter in China's recycling capital

Suomi team ward off recent space debris threat

Argentina launches its first telecom satellite

DEMOCRACY
Law of the Sea authorizes animal tagging without nations' consent

Top marine scientists call for action on 'invisible' fisheries

Sediment wreaks havoc with fish larvae

Probe into cause of French protester's death veers towards police

DEMOCRACY
China to build Antarctic airfield: report

Penguin chicks

Mammoth skull and tusks found in Idaho drainage ditch

Icebergs once drifted to Florida, new climate model suggests

DEMOCRACY
World losing 2,000 hectares of farm soil daily to salt damage

Salt-loving plants key to sustainable food production

No-till agriculture may not bring hoped-for boost in global crop yields

Chewing too much hassle? Japan's got just the thing

DEMOCRACY
Colossal volcanic eruption could destroy Japan: study

Icelandic volcano sits on massive magma hot spot

Hawaii lava flow reaches home, threatens town

Hawaii volcano lava wave nears homes

DEMOCRACY
Thirty adolescents abducted in northeast Nigeria: local chief

Secret talks to end Lesotho military standoff

Nigeria tries 59 soldiers on mutiny charges

Horn free: Lagos tries to tackle noise pollution

DEMOCRACY
Death and social media: what happens next

Highest altitude ice age human occupation documented in Peruvian Andes

Parts of UK 'under siege' from immigration: defence minister

Reducing population is no environmental quick fix




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2014 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.