LiveScience: Democrats and Republicans Both Adept at Ignoring Facts

[Psephos]

A study shows that ignoring facts that don't support political beliefs is equally common among Democrats and Republicans.

<snip>

The test subjects on both sides of the political aisle reached totally biased conclusions by ignoring information that could not rationally be discounted, Westen and his colleagues say.

Then, with their minds made up, brain activity ceased in the areas that deal with negative emotions such as disgust. But activity spiked in the circuits involved in reward, a response similar to what addicts experience when they get a fix, Westen explained.

The study points to a total lack of reason in political decision-making.

"None of the circuits involved in conscious reasoning were particularly engaged," Westen said. "Essentially, it appears as if partisans twirl the cognitive kaleidoscope until they get the conclusions they want, and then they get massively reinforced for it, with the elimination of negative emotional states and activation of positive ones."

<snip>

http://www.livescience.com/othernews/060124_political_decisions.html

[Craig3410]

1. Bunch of frickin right-wingers.

;)

[atommom]

2. It IS a total lack of reasoning, and I've seen both parties do it.

I haven't seen any Dem administration, however, that came anywhere near the level of the Bushies' denial of logic, reason and science.

[Nathyn]

3. Independents everywhere are shouting duh.

Right now.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

4. LOL

man oh man, is this guy ever right.

Politics appears to do that to people. Black, white, no gray.

Except for me, of course. I am infinitely wise in all things politic.

[Angry Girl]

5. Given the latest research on how analytically challenged Americans are

This shouldn't come as a surprise.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=2055751&mesg_id=2055751

This also ties in why so many Americans still don't believe the 2000 and 2004 elections were rigged and stolen: The proof lies in statistical analysis and these idiots can't even be expected to tip properly or balance their checkbooks, let alone understand any kind of rigorous scientific reasoning.