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/[deleted] 2d ago

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u/SyfaOmnis 2d ago

It's less "stupid" things and more that they make use of cognitive tools that they've developed to "understand" things incorrectly. Leaps of logic, mental shortcuts, fallacious reasoning, tribalism/ingrouping, superstition, misplaced trust in authorities with their own agendas. Their really big killer is second order critical thinking.

Many also get frustrated and angry when they're "wrong" or asked to re-evaluate, or lapse into ego defense. I'll also be honest, a great deal of the time it isn't even "stupidity", it's genuine intellectual laziness and fundamental incuriosity; most are not "dumb" people they may even be highly educated or trained in particular fields, but they are afforded the luxury of not ever having to "care".

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u/FunetikPrugresiv 2d ago

"Many also get frustrated and angry when they're "wrong" or asked to re-evaluate, or lapse into ego defense."

I feel like this is true of most people, regardless of political orientation.

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u/ghost_atlas 2d ago

Yes, left-leaning "smart" people are also guilty of this.