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politics

This shows a crowd of people in a musical venue with swirls around them.

·August 27, 2025·7 min read

Music Goosebumps Expose Unexpected Patterns in Belief

Aesthetic chills—goosebumps from music or art—are not just fleeting sensations but windows into human psychology. A large-scale study of over 8,000 people revealed that chills are tied to insight, self-transcendence, and even political leanings.

This shows a shadowy politician on a stage.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 15, 2025·4 min read

Dark Personality Traits in Politicians Fuel Political Polarization

New research reveals that politicians with narcissistic, psychopathic, or Machiavellian traits significantly increase affective polarization among voters. When citizens identify ideologically with such leaders, they become more hostile toward political opponents.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 10, 2025·4 min read

Shared Brain Circuit Drives Political Passion Across Ideologies

A new study has identified a brain circuit that correlates with how intensely people engage in politics, regardless of their political beliefs. Researchers examined data from 124 male military Veterans with penetrating brain injuries and found that lesions in certain brain areas affected levels of political involvement.

This shows two people shopping and brains.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 8, 2025·4 min read

Brain Scans Reveal Political Leanings During Grocery Shopping

Researchers have discovered that people’s political affiliation can be identified with nearly 80% accuracy based on brain activity while making routine decisions like buying milk and eggs. Although actual purchasing choices did not differ between Democrats and Republicans, the underlying neural patterns diverged significantly.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 3, 2025·5 min read

Study Reveals Brain Circuits That Drive Political Passion and Intensity

A new study has identified specific brain networks that regulate the intensity of political engagement, regardless of ideology. By analyzing Vietnam War veterans with localized brain injuries, researchers found that damage to the prefrontal cortex increased political fervor, while damage to the amygdala reduced it.

This shows a person at a podium and brains.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 18, 2024·8 min read

When Does Election Debunking Work? New Model Provides Insights

A study using a computational model reveals factors that influence whether debunking efforts about disputed election results will persuade people to change their beliefs. The model shows that debunking is more likely to succeed when individuals are less certain of their original beliefs and perceive the authority as unbiased and motivated by accuracy.

This shows people looking at screens with True and False written on them.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·September 30, 2024·6 min read

Extreme Political Views Drive Higher Belief in Misinformation

A new study reveals that users with extreme political views are more likely to encounter and believe online misinformation. The research shows that misinformation spreads across the political spectrum, but its impact is most pronounced among those with conservative or liberal extremes.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·September 27, 2024·5 min read

Brain Structure Linked to Political Ideology

A large study has found a small but significant link between brain structure and political ideology. The research revealed that conservatives have a slightly larger amygdala, a brain region involved in processing emotions, though the size difference is minimal.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 29, 2024·3 min read

Study Reveals Shared Values Among US Voters Despite Political Divide

New research reveals that most American voters, regardless of political affiliation, share similar values, but fail to recognize their common ground. This misperception exacerbates societal conflict and pessimism about the future. When shown evidence of their shared values, participants felt more hopeful and trusting towards the other side. The study calls for media and social scientists to highlight these commonalities to reduce perceived polarization.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 8, 2024·6 min read

Personality Politics: What Makes a Successful Politician?

A new study identifies humor, charm, and courage as crucial traits for successful politicians. Researchers found that aspiring politicians embark on challenging careers driven by a mix of ambition, idealism, and sometimes narcissism. Key qualities like charm, decision-making skills, and verbal prowess are essential for political success. The study also highlights the limited and often inadequate preparation for ministerial roles, suggesting reforms for better governance.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 13, 2024·3 min read

Heat Waves Reduce Politicians’ Speech Complexity

High temperatures lead to simpler language in parliamentary speeches. Analyzing seven million speeches from 28,000 politicians, researchers discovered that heat negatively impacts cognitive abilities. This effect was more pronounced in older politicians. The findings highlight the broader impacts of climate change on human performance and decision-making.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 3, 2024·3 min read

Stress-Induced Brain Chemistry Changes Linked to Political Radicalism

A new study explores how brain chemistry influences political opinions through the "threat-based neural switch theory." This theory suggests that stress from economic crises and wars enhances susceptibility to simple, often radical, political messages by altering brain processes.