|
|
Post by cliffordzhang on May 3, 2016 4:54:19 GMT
In the study, Political Orientations are Correlated Brain Structure in Young Adults, by Kanai, et. al, participants with increased gray matter volume in the anterior cingulate cortex were more likely to have liberal views while participants with an increased volume of the right amygdala were found to have more conservative leaning views. In addition, political orientation was also found to be associated with psychological processes for managing fear and uncertainty. And to be honest, the rest of the article was just a lot of numbers and stats and correlations that are true but probably don't mean too much. So let's get down to the real discussion!
How do you think you developed the political beliefs that you possess? What are some factors in your life that may have contributed to those beliefs?
You don't have to mention any your own specific political beliefs if you don't want to, but for example, I am pro-choice when it comes to abortion because from a moral background, I believe that women should have the right to make decisions about their own bodies and futures, and from a scientific background, those stem cells that are extracted from the abortion could be used to save the lives of living people.
|
|
|
|
Post by vannahyazon on May 4, 2016 6:28:09 GMT
I am a registered Republican. I consider myself a grandma because i am very socially conservative. I would say that i lean a bit more liberally when it comes to my economic opinions. I am socially conservative mostly because of being a devout Catholic, my mom and boyfriend are registered Democrats, so their political party did not influence me. I say that i side more liberally with economics because of my SES and the benefit my family has had with food stamps and EBT and wic in general.
|
|
|
|
Post by stacyli on May 4, 2016 8:55:23 GMT
I'm pretty sure my political beliefs primarily stem from the area I grew up in, the influence of my peers, teachers, and other adults in my life, and various influences on the internet. The middle school and high school I came from were both extremely socially liberal, to the point where anyone who had even remotely conservative social views was usually shunned or dismissed as being a complete idiot or extremely immoral. Though I don't think my surroundings really had to force liberal beliefs onto me, they definitely pushed any conservative thoughts away in terms of social issues.
My parents are also pretty traditional Chinese parents, so they're pretty conservative both socially and fiscally despite me being more socially liberal. Because of this, however, I do think I've always been more fiscally conservative. My family is by no means rolling in cash, but we're relatively well off and I think me being more fiscally conservative has to do with me constantly seeing my parents working. Like legit I just see them typing away on their computers like 24/7 and going back and forth from their office every single day. I feel like I see them working endlessly for the money that our family has. Generally more liberal fiscal policies try to socialize wealth to a certain degree and from a personal standpoint I don't like feeling like my parents' hard work has to be taken away in taxes and other government expenses.
|
|
|
|
Post by connorthompson on May 4, 2016 21:40:47 GMT
I think my political beliefs stem from the environment I grew up in. From early on I was exposed to different races, cultures, and classes. I think it had a huge impact on my political views, a kind of impact that people who weren't exposed to those who are different than them would never receive.
I think it also has a lot to do with income. With higher income, people can travel more often and become exposed to different cultures. This can make someone more liberal.
However, on the flip side, a higher income makes people less reliant on social programs and more defensive of their money. This can make someone more conservative.
|
|
rkipp
New Member
Posts: 34 
|
Post by rkipp on May 4, 2016 22:08:57 GMT
My parents are Republican, yet I consider myself a Democrat. When I was in high school, I thought of myself as a Republican mainly because Republican ideals were what I always heard around my house. Yet once I became more involved with current events, moved away to college, and met so many different people with different views, I had a much more open-mind and become much more liberal. As connorthompson mentioned, I think the environment plays a HUGE role in our political beliefs, at least as young adults. However, now that I have established my own political views, no matter my environment, I believe that my ideals would remain the same. I think that as we grow older, the environment does not play as large of a role since we are already molded into our beliefs. |
|
|
|
Post by cliffordzhang on May 5, 2016 2:14:24 GMT
Thanks for the honest replies guys.
I'd say that when I was younger I was very liberal because I always liked to side with the moral high ground. But as I got older, I realized that what sounds good isn't always the best option. For instance, it's impossible to decrease taxes, but increase benefits without deficit spending. That's why I am pretty wary of all the things Bernie Sanders says. He consistently sides with the side that is morally right and promises that he can make all these great things happen. But in reality, it's impossible for him to keep his promises. Bernie fanatics irk me lmfao.
|
|
|
|
Post by hrhunter on May 5, 2016 4:52:36 GMT
I am a registered republican as well, but I tend to be very left wing when it comes to social issues. My parents are both republicans and I can see how their influence has shaped my stance in politics. I tend to quote them when it comes to social issues without even realizing it, and as a lower-middle class family, my family tends to suffer greatly with high tax rates and government-funded programs are put into place, especially when the system is abused. When it comes to being more left wing concerning social issues, I think social media has really influenced me. Seeing how happy it makes freedom to have liberal freedoms such as the the right have an abortion, the right to have a gay marriage, etc. has really changed my social beliefs from the conservative ones my parents raised me with.
|
|
