Oh, those extremists!

[Mock Turtle]

Extremist Brains Perform Poorly at Complex Mental Tasks, Study Reveals

People with extremist views aren't only identified by their political, religious, or social beliefs, according to new research. Those ideological convictions run deep, scientists say – so deep, in fact, that they can be recognised in a 'psychological signature' of cognitive traits and aptitudes that typifies the thinking patterns of the extremist mind. "There appear to be hidden similarities in the minds of those most willing to take extreme measures to support their ideological doctrines," explains psychologist Leor Zmigrod from the University of Cambridge. "This psychological signature is novel and should inspire further research on the effect of dogmatism on perceptual decision-making processes," she and colleagues write in their newly published study. Moreover, it's possible those psychological patterns could be what compels some individuals to adopt strong or radical ideological positions in the first instance, the researchers suggest. "Subtle difficulties with complex mental processing may subconsciously push people towards extreme doctrines that provide clearer, more defined explanations of the world, making them susceptible to toxic forms of dogmatic and authoritarian ideologies," Zmigrod says.

Worth a read, even if it tends to make one feel a little smug, and needs further investigation.

 

[Valjean]

I read this yesterday. Interesting.
As has been shown in numerous previous studies, liberal and conservative brains differ anatomically and functionally. It appears some people are born liberal or conservative.

 

[exchemist]

Extremist Brains Perform Poorly at Complex Mental Tasks, Study Reveals

People with extremist views aren't only identified by their political, religious, or social beliefs, according to new research. Those ideological convictions run deep, scientists say – so deep, in fact, that they can be recognised in a 'psychological signature' of cognitive traits and aptitudes that typifies the thinking patterns of the extremist mind. "There appear to be hidden similarities in the minds of those most willing to take extreme measures to support their ideological doctrines," explains psychologist Leor Zmigrod from the University of Cambridge. "This psychological signature is novel and should inspire further research on the effect of dogmatism on perceptual decision-making processes," she and colleagues write in their newly published study. Moreover, it's possible those psychological patterns could be what compels some individuals to adopt strong or radical ideological positions in the first instance, the researchers suggest. "Subtle difficulties with complex mental processing may subconsciously push people towards extreme doctrines that provide clearer, more defined explanations of the world, making them susceptible to toxic forms of dogmatic and authoritarian ideologies," Zmigrod says.

Worth a read, even if it tends to make one feel a little smug, and needs further investigation.

Yes I saw this. It seemed to me a bit of a "Pope discovered to be Catholic" story. What they have found is people that can't handle complexity and shades of grey opt for simplistic black vs white characterisations - and hence are more likely to have extreme views. Quelle surprise.

One does notice that people with extreme views often seem to be a bit thick, certainly.

 

[Revoltingest]

...people with extreme views often seem to be a bit thick, certainly.

You called?

 

[Secret Chief]

One does notice that people with extreme views often seem to be a bit thick, certainly.

Either that or went to Eton.

 

[exchemist]

Either that or went to Eton.

Er......yes.

Or St Joseph's College, Ipswich....

 

[Secret Chief]

Who gets to decide what constitutes extreme?
What are the criteria?

This is the take on it by the current British government:

"Department for Education (DfE) guidance issued on Thursday for school leaders and teachers ... categorised anti-capitalism as an “extreme political stance” "

- Schools in England told not to use material from anti-capitalist groups