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Why the Left and the Right see the world differently

Why the Left and the Right see the world differently

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Suzianne
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Great article on Vox.com about a new book explaining why Democrats and Republicans have such different worldviews. It seems it's less about one's ideology and more about one's personality.

https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/12/18/18139556/republicans-democrats-partisanship-ideology-philosophy-psychology-marc-hetherington

The book mentioned in the article is here:
Prius or Pickup?: How the Answers to Four Simple Questions Explain America's Great Divide
https://www.amazon.com/Prius-Pickup-Answers-Questions-Americas-ebook/dp/B078FH3BC6

"Is it safe?"

divegeester
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@suzianne said
Great article on Vox.com about a new book explaining why Democrats and Republicans have such different worldviews. It seems it's less about one's ideology and more about one's personality.

https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/12/18/18139556/republicans-democrats-partisanship-ideology-philosophy-psychology-marc-hetherington

The book mentioned in the article is ...[text shortened]...
https://www.amazon.com/Prius-Pickup-Answers-Questions-Americas-ebook/dp/B078FH3BC6

"Is it safe?"
Interesting article.

Why do you use the word “personality”?

divegeester
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@suzianne said
Great article on Vox.com about a new book explaining why Democrats and Republicans have such different worldviews. It seems it's less about one's ideology and more about one's personality.

https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/12/18/18139556/republicans-democrats-partisanship-ideology-philosophy-psychology-marc-hetherington

The book mentioned in the article is ...[text shortened]...
https://www.amazon.com/Prius-Pickup-Answers-Questions-Americas-ebook/dp/B078FH3BC6

"Is it safe?"
Some example of this phenomena here Thread 179646

And of course across this entire forum and also especially in the exchanges on Brexit.

Suzianne
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@divegeester said
Interesting article.

Why do you use the word “personality”?
"Personality refers to individual differences in characteristic patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving. The study of personality focuses on two broad areas: One is understanding individual differences in particular personality characteristics, such as sociability or irritability. The other is understanding how the various parts of a person come together as a whole." -- Adapted from the Encyclopedia of Psychology

** From
https://www.apa.org/topics/personality/

---------------------------------------------------------

Personality is a far better descriptor of a person's worldview than their ideology as defined by political party.

divegeester
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@suzianne said
"Personality refers to individual differences in characteristic patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving. The study of personality focuses on two broad areas: One is understanding individual differences in particular personality characteristics, such as sociability or irritability. The other is understanding how the various parts of a person come together as a whole." -- A ...[text shortened]... s a far better descriptor of a person's worldview than their ideology as defined by political party.
I know what personality is Suzianne, but thanks for the link.

The word “Personality” is not used in the article at all (although I only skim read it) so I’m interested in why you implied that it was?

Edit: let me be open...I think you used it to imply that certain personalities were associated with certain parties and I don’t think the article says that at all. To me is was about how fixed or fluid our attitudes were in terms of political issues.

Suzianne
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@divegeester said
I know what personality is Suzianne, but thanks for the link.

The word “Personality” is not used in the article at all (although I only skim read it) so I’m interested in why you implied that it was?

Edit: let me be open...I think you used it to imply that certain personalities were associated with certain parties and I don’t think the article says that at all. To me is was about how fixed or fluid our attitudes were in terms of political issues.
And what, exactly, is "fixed" or "fluid" in this article?

Yes, people's personalities.

"Attitudes"? What are attitudes, but facets of our personality?

As we are, so shall we think.

shavixmir
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@suzianne said
Great article on Vox.com about a new book explaining why Democrats and Republicans have such different worldviews. It seems it's less about one's ideology and more about one's personality.

https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/12/18/18139556/republicans-democrats-partisanship-ideology-philosophy-psychology-marc-hetherington

The book mentioned in the article is ...[text shortened]...
https://www.amazon.com/Prius-Pickup-Answers-Questions-Americas-ebook/dp/B078FH3BC6

"Is it safe?"
Very interesting.
The link between holding on to the status quo (instead of wanting change) and fear has been long established. Even Bowling for Colombine refers to it.

It should (although it’s far less fun) lead to a different discussion: not how to reason with conservatives, but how do you address their fears. That’s the root of their opinions. An emphesis on relationship and trust will be more productive than discussing facts.

Equally, conservatives should stop quoting facts, but discuss their fears if they want liberals to see their point of view.

divegeester
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@suzianne said
And what, exactly, is "fixed" or "fluid" in this article?

Yes, people's personalities.

"Attitudes"? What are attitudes, but facets of our personality?

As we are, so shall we think.
I disagree and I didn’t like your use of the word “personalities” because it permits you to casually use the findings to point a finger at those you don’t like. I felt that you were colouring the research. But it it was an interesting read anyway, thanks.

mchill
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1 edit

@suzianne said
Great article on Vox.com about a new book explaining why Democrats and Republicans have such different worldviews. It seems it's less about one's ideology and more about one's personality.

https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/12/18/18139556/republicans-democrats-partisanship-ideology-philosophy-psychology-marc-hetherington

The book mentioned in the article is ...[text shortened]...
https://www.amazon.com/Prius-Pickup-Answers-Questions-Americas-ebook/dp/B078FH3BC6

"Is it safe?"
Pretty accurate analysis in this article, but I am not pessimistic for 2 reasons: 1. There is a fairly large and reliable block of voters that vote for republicans or democrats depending on who they think the best candidate is, and 2. Our judiciary. Despite Donald Trump's tantrums about our judiciary when things don't go his way, these folks seem to be able to do their job in a professional manner, despite all the hot air from the White House. These are 2 pretty big stabilizing forces. Despite the hardcore entrenchment in both voting blocks, there are a lot of voices of reason out there.

I'm in the optimist category 🙂

shavixmir
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@mchill said
Pretty accurate analysis in this article, but I am not pessimistic for 2 reasons: 1. There is a fairly large and reliable block of voters that vote for republicans or democrats depending on who they think the best candidate is, and 2. Our judiciary. Despite Donald Trump's tantrums about our judiciary when things don't go his way, these folks seem to be able to do their job in ...[text shortened]... voting blocks, there are a lot of voices of reason out there.

I'm in the optimist category 🙂
You’re optimistic because of your first point?

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