Articles
Do Conservatives or Liberals Hold More Biased Perceptions?
Source:
Psychology Today
May 24, 2019
Category:
Politics, Psychology
Author: Morgan Marietta Ph.D.
Many scholars have argued that conservatives are more rigid, intolerant, and certain. But in regard to factual perceptions, the evidence does not bear this out. Both liberals and conservatives can fall prey to the psychological forces that make perceptions subservient to values.
Isaiah's Description:
Today's politics are ruled by political polarization more so than ever before. Numerous issues from abortion, to racial inequalities, to education, are debated along partisan lines. As a left leaner, a friend to many who align left, it's easy to perceive the other side as being more rigid.
However, this isn't necessarily the case. Our misperceptions about ourselves and others contribute to the growing partisan divide and affect our ability to engage in meaningful and productive dialogues with the other group. Before we judge others, we must look to ourselves and ask if we too embody that which we criticize in others.