Political Bias and Brain Activity

[nancylebov]

We did not see any increased activation of the parts of the brain normally engaged during reasoning

The test subjects on both sides of the political aisle reached totally biased conclusions by ignoring information that could not rationally be discounted, Westen and his colleagues say.

Then, with their minds made up, brain activity ceased in the areas that deal with negative emotions such as disgust. But activity spiked in the circuits involved in reward, a response similar to what addicts experience when they get a fix, Westen explained.

The study points to a total lack of reason in political decision-making.

Well, not exactly. The test was done on "staunch party members". Maybe somebody, somewhere, is actually thinking.

Link thanks to rinku.