Why are liberals more intelligent than conservatives? (global warming, healthcare, crime)

[Spatula City]

There is an indisputable correlation between higher levels of intelligence and liberal attitudes, but this correlation has yet to be explained:

http://www.asanet.org/images/journal...SPQFeature.pdf



Some potential explanations:

-Liberalism is a 'novelty' in human evolution and intelligent people tend to be drawn to novelty (not socially defined novelty, evolutionary novelty).
-less intelligent people tend to conform to tradition, because they have been instructed not to trust their own intelligence.
-their higher intelligence explains why liberals tend to control practically ALL of the institutions with a few exceptions-- notably the world of business.
-extreme conservatism is shown to be positively correlated with the lowest IQs.
-Religiosity has a very high correlation with a low IQ.

[Hemlock140]

The explanation is easy, but is not likely to be mentioned by the author from a school. Those that spend the most time in school, with multiple or advanced degrees have more exposure to the liberalism of the educational system. Those with multiple or advanced degrees also tend to be more intelligent. I also subscribe to your last potential explanation, organized religion depends on people with lower IQs to blindly follow their teachings without question.

[Billy_J]

It might be the other way around... That intelligent people are more likely to become liberals at some point or another.

And the way that may happen is they are intelligent enough to "look ahead" or "plan ahead". And can clearly see that something like healthcare or social security is something they will need later on. So they are in favor of programs like that and then become labeled "liberal".

But also they may be fed up with crime and be all for "get tough on crime" measures - a "conservative" thing.

[Adhom]

To me the difference is the ability to see the bigger picture. I want policies that benefit the human race, not just for my tribe and people who look like me.

[Opin_Yunated]

Yes.

This has been proven in multiple psycological studies. The "smartest" genetic intellgience by demographic is male liberal atheists. Yes, it is evolutionary (has to do with rational thinking).

Conservative brains are hardwired to react easily to fear. Fear clouds the ability to rationalize thoughts.

[case44]

They aren't. Try interrogating them with yes/no questions.

And how liberals cannot give a straight answer.

[MikeJaquish]

When anyone says, "...indisputable...," hold onto your wallet and hustle away.

[texdav]

Because they think hating the wealthy who they depend on for their proposal in funding. make think that is intelligence but others call it fooling yourself. Never healthy.

[Lunar Delta]

Originally Posted by case44

They aren't. Try interrogating them with yes/no questions.

And how liberals cannot give a straight answer.

Perhaps that is because not everything in this universe is a perfectly simple black and white issue?

[USAGeorge]

Sort of like the Global Warming charts,,,,right......Oh excuse me the Global Trending charts that were massaged to add validity to something that hasn't happened in 18 years.......

Garbage in Garbage out.....