Conservatives tend to crave order and structure in their lives, and are more consistent in the way they make decisions. Liberals, by contrast, show a higher tolerance for ambiguity and complexity, and adapt more easily to unexpected circumstances.[...]
Intrigued by these correlations, New York University political scientist David Amodio and colleagues decided to find out if the brains of liberals and conservatives reacted differently to the same stimuli.
[...]
Using electroencephalographs, which measure neuronal impulses, the researchers examined activity in a part of the brain -- the anterior cingulate cortex -- that is strongly linked with the self-regulatory process of conflict monitoring.
The match-up was unmistakable: respondents who had described themselves as liberals showed "significantly greater conflict-related neural activity" when the hypothetical situation called for an unscheduled break in routine.
Conservatives, however, were less flexible, refusing to deviate from old habits "despite signals that this ... should be changed."
Bingo.
"It hasn't gone like we hoped? Change approach? Hell, no. Surge. We need to surge."
Actually, because complexity and ambiguity in our world are facing us in spades and with intensity, and because change is the natural order of things with the rate of change seemingly increasing, what this study implies is that Liberals will inherit the earth.
If Conservatives don't destroy it first.
Hey, maybe that's why they're going full speed ahead with the war plans: "I'd rather destroy it than see you get it." "If I can't have her, nobody can."
....but hey, do what you want....you will anyway.
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