2016 Postmortem

magical thyme

(14,881 posts)

4. what they're arguing is *not* genetic

Fri Mar 8, 2013, 07:33 AM

Mar 2013

it is specifically that environment profoundly affects how our brains develop. In "nature versus nurture," this is an area where nurture expresses itself.

Children raised in physically abusive families will have their brains develop differently than children raised in nurturing families. The pathways that are most used become the most developed.

And that children raised in severely abusive families grow up to be more fearful is also is pretty well understood. And that they they adopt ideologies that express and ultimately reinforce those ideas is also understood.

This is pretty old news. Why is it so "surprising?" and why are they calling it "deeply rooted in our genes" when, in fact, it is not based on the specific genes you inherited but the people who beat the shit out of you while you were growing up?

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The Surprising Brain Differences Between Democrats - Mother Jones [View all] LiberalFighter Mar 2013 OP

Yes, but what about the Republican Stupidity Quotient? NBachers Mar 2013 #1

Oh, it's in there. sofa king Mar 2013 #16

fascinating paper! Rosa Luxemburg Mar 2013 #31

Yes it is. sofa king Mar 2013 #33

Bravo IrishAyes Mar 2013 #43

"difficulty understanding anything ambiguous or complex." Kali Mar 2013 #37

You have the makings of a sig line there. RC Mar 2013 #51

Some people believe any garbage whistler162 Mar 2013 #2

The OP article was printed on the internet, and so was this comment. alfredo Mar 2013 #13

Ever-since the earth was created 5000 years ago... Larry Ogg Mar 2013 #17

That's where... IrishAyes Mar 2013 #44

I look forward to additional studies... immoderate Mar 2013 #3

what they're arguing is *not* genetic magical thyme Mar 2013 #4

So in broad terms, a portion of conservatism may be a symptom of PTSD? Thor_MN Mar 2013 #5

Could relate to fear of change and need to control one's environment. socialindependocrat Mar 2013 #6

Expansion on the thought GeoWilliam750 Mar 2013 #24

Sounds about right to me IrishAyes Mar 2013 #46

I don't know that I would define it that way... magical thyme Mar 2013 #11

Nurture or Nature? Larry Ogg Mar 2013 #20

no, conservatism... magical thyme Mar 2013 #35

Post removed Post removed Jul 2015 #55

Message auto-removed Name removed Feb 2016 #56

Well, maybe more generally, DESNOS-- Jackpine Radical Mar 2013 #53

that makes sense magical thyme Mar 2013 #54

I agree with you to some extent. The fear factor can come from other sources such as extreme jwirr Mar 2013 #7

As someone who experience terrible panic attacks for years, I can say it didnt cause right wingism.. JoeBlowToo Mar 2013 #12

Yes, my brother and granddaughter both are good Dems. jwirr Mar 2013 #14

I've always been liberal and nonconformist BlancheSplanchnik Mar 2013 #26

it's like the difference between my eldest sister and I, magical thyme Mar 2013 #30

A tip of the shamrock to you IrishAyes Mar 2013 #48

here's the explanation that makes sense to me: certainot Mar 2013 #34

Probably because IrishAyes Mar 2013 #45

I blame religion SpartanDem Mar 2013 #47

This required a study? davidthegnome Mar 2013 #8

And, less surprisingly, fox news is more dedicated to stoking fear than anything else bhikkhu Mar 2013 #9

I Have A Fear of Guns otohara Mar 2013 #10

I have a fear of strangers....and crowds AlbertCat Mar 2013 #15

We are dealing with people who ThoughtCriminal Mar 2013 #18

+100000 BlancheSplanchnik Mar 2013 #27

YEAH, THE BELIEFS OF MANY OF MY FELLOW AMERICANS TRULY RESEMBLE EITHER drynberg Mar 2013 #42

The Most Profound Statement In The Article Reads DallasNE Mar 2013 #19

smack in that age group - 49. maxsolomon Mar 2013 #21

I wonder if it is a brain wave thing... mrsadm Mar 2013 #22

One would probably need brain cells for waves to be transmitted? Rosa Luxemburg Mar 2013 #32

Matches what John Dean discovered and wrote... Grins Mar 2013 #23

now I want that book! BlancheSplanchnik Mar 2013 #28

The Authoritarians by Bob Altemeyer. reACTIONary Mar 2013 #29

Yes, this. Avalux Mar 2013 #39

Hey, d'ya think... IrishAyes Mar 2013 #49

So, basically, conservatives are paranoid psychos? Andy Stanton Mar 2013 #25

This message was self-deleted by its author damnedifIknow Mar 2013 #36

Check out these two books!! bluedeer71 Mar 2013 #38

I will have to read that, but this is a good time to tell a joke davidpdx Mar 2013 #40

Lets not get "to much" information from this study, happyslug Mar 2013 #41

Very thoughtful post IrishAyes Mar 2013 #50

I knew there was a legitimate reason people vote against their own best interest. liberal N proud Mar 2013 #52