Fact Check: conservatives are less intelligent than liberals

Are Conservatives Less Intelligent Than Liberals? A Fact-Check

Introduction

The claim that "conservatives are less intelligent than liberals" has circulated in various forms within political discourse. This assertion often emerges from studies examining the relationship between cognitive ability and political ideology. However, the complexity of intelligence, political beliefs, and the methodologies used in studies necessitates a thorough examination of the evidence.

What We Know

1. Cognitive Ability and Political Ideology: A study by Ganzach (2020) suggests that cognitive ability influences political ideology, with higher intelligence correlating with liberal views, primarily through education and income as mediators 1.

2. Psychological Differences: Research indicates that liberals and conservatives exhibit different psychological traits. For instance, conservatives may react more strongly to threats, while liberals are more inclined to seek novelty 2.

3. Brain Structure Variations: Some studies report structural differences in the brains of liberals and conservatives. For example, conservatives have been found to have a larger amygdala, associated with threat perception, while liberals may have a larger anterior cingulate cortex, linked to conflict resolution 3.

4. Intelligence and Party Identity: A paper published in 2014 found that intelligence accounts for less than half of the differences in political ideology and party identity, suggesting that other factors also play significant roles 8.

5. Controversial Claims: A claim from a 2011 article on the IAHYM News Network, which was later debunked by Snopes, asserted that a Harvard study showed liberals have lower IQs than conservatives. This claim lacks credible backing and is considered unreliable 7.

6. Cognitive Styles: Another study suggests that liberals may exhibit more analytical thinking styles compared to conservatives, although this finding is part of a broader discussion about cognitive diversity rather than a straightforward measure of intelligence 10.

Analysis

The evidence surrounding the claim that conservatives are less intelligent than liberals is mixed and often contentious.

• Source Reliability: The studies cited from peer-reviewed journals, such as those published in Nature and Scientific American, generally have higher credibility due to rigorous scientific standards. However, studies that originate from less reputable sources or those that have been debunked, like the IAHYM News Network claim, should be approached with skepticism 7.

• Methodological Concerns: Many studies rely on correlational data, which can indicate relationships but do not prove causation. For example, while higher intelligence may correlate with liberal views, it does not necessarily mean that intelligence causes liberalism. Additionally, the factors influencing political ideology are multifaceted, including cultural, environmental, and psychological components.

• Potential Bias: Some studies may exhibit bias based on the researchers' political leanings or the contexts in which they were conducted. For instance, studies that emphasize cognitive differences might inadvertently reinforce existing stereotypes about political groups.

• Conflicting Evidence: While some studies suggest a link between intelligence and liberalism, others highlight that cognitive ability only accounts for a portion of the ideological spectrum. This indicates that the relationship is not as straightforward as the claim suggests 8.

Conclusion

Verdict: Partially True

The assertion that conservatives are less intelligent than liberals is partially true, as some studies indicate a correlation between higher intelligence and liberal political views. However, this relationship is nuanced and influenced by various factors, including education, income, and psychological traits. Importantly, intelligence accounts for only a portion of the differences in political ideology, suggesting that other elements play significant roles in shaping political beliefs.

It is crucial to recognize the limitations of the available evidence. Many studies are correlational and do not establish causation, and potential biases in research can affect outcomes. Furthermore, the complexity of intelligence and political ideology means that sweeping generalizations should be approached with caution.

Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate information and consider the broader context when assessing claims about intelligence and political beliefs. The relationship between cognitive ability and ideology is intricate and cannot be reduced to simple comparisons.

Sources

1. Ganzach, Y. (2020). Do Smarter People Have More Conservative Economic Attitudes? Assessing the Role of Education and Income. PMC. Link
2. Red Brain, Blue Brain: Evaluative Processes Differ in Democrats and Republicans. PMC. Link
3. A grey matter? Nature, nurture and the study of forming political leanings. The Guardian. Link
4. Neurocognitive correlates of liberalism and conservatism. Nature. Link
5. How Are the Brains of Liberals and Conservatives Different? A Mark Foundation. Link
6. Conservative and Liberal Brains Might Have Some Real Differences. Scientific American. Link
7. New Study Shows Liberals Have a Lower Average IQ Than Conservatives. Snopes. Link
8. Cognitive ability and party identity in the United States. ScienceDirect. Link
9. Conservatism and cognitive ability. ScienceDirect. Link
10. Differences in Conservative and Liberal Brains. A Mark Foundation. Link