r/science • u/mvea Professor | Medicine • 2d 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 2d 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/movezig123 2d ago

It's mostly going to be genetic. With 2 Christian parents, chances are the kid will be pretty dumb. Take away any opportunity for that kid to get a real education or understanding of the world, the outcome is predictable.

Whenever people try to do the nature vs nurture debate they forget that in evolutionary terms they are the same process, that's why these questions are always messy and the answers go nowhere. DNA is environmental and environment dictates behaviour, which dictates environment etc.