Society/Culture Why do less intelligent people gravitate to conservative/right wing ideology.

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The Daily Mail article reports upon a study by Gordon Hodson, a psychologist at Brock University in Ontario, Canada. (another Canadian Academic Psychologist but without a youtube presence). He looked at data from 2 UK studies testing child development. The subjects were
(a) 4,267 boys and 4,537 girls born in 1958;
(b) 3,412 boys and 3,658 girls born in 1970.

The tests were of
(c) verbal and non verbal intelligence; and
(d) cognitive abilities (number recall, shape-drawing tasks, defining words and identifying patterns and similarities among words).

In both surveys, 23 years later, the same groups were asked to answer a series of questions about traditions, authority and attitudes toward other races. Hodson then postulated a definition of conservatism which is undefined but looks to be based upon attitudes towards Authority and other races and concluded that low-intelligence adults tend to gravitate toward socially conservtive ideologies.

I’d very cautious about accepting the conclusions drawn by Grin and his gaggle of applauders from the article helpfully posted by Mofra
So would I.

Here's a meta-analysis that's far more wide ranging.


There is a significant body of work on the subject. Assuming the entire concept is based off a single study is folly.
 
While I don't disagree, I also view the amount of information available to and tracking measures used by corporations and governments as extremely concerning. It's also unnecessary.

I seem to be a minority voice on the losing side there. Dunno if that makes me a dumb RWNJ or not.

I'd reckon most people would agree with you, I'm uneasy about it as well to be honest.
 

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