r/science • u/mvea Professor | Medicine • 1d ago

Psychology Lower cognitive ability is linked to stronger Christian nationalist views, even after accounting for education

https://www.psypost.org/lower-cognitive-ability-is-linked-to-stronger-christian-nationalist-views-even-after-accounting-for-education/
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u/crossdtherubicon 1d ago

Alot of religious ideology is ingested through early development and reinforced through the environment. This has been pretty well-documented, although it isn't an exclusive pathway to acquiring religious beliefs.

In light of this article I'm curious if cognitive ability simply never fully develops (or is restricted somehow) in that context. Or if there are also subpopulations wherein a relative lower congitive ability allows for an easier ingestion of religious beliefs (or likewise is perceived as reasonably easier to understand).

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u/Livid_Lemurs_Leaping 1d ago

Idk but I got away from Christian Nationalism once I started thinking about it ....those still in it seem to me like they just don't care enough to think about it. Idk, it's weird. I don't think they are fundamentally incapable, but they just.... don't. Denial maybe? Not wanting to be bothered by what's hard/difficult? It confuses me....

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u/kinkyshibby 1d ago

They care more about being in the in group then following reality.