Picked up a book day before yesterday - "The Republican Brain"

[GaYellowDawg]

by Chris Mooney.

He's the same science journalist who wrote "The Republican War on Science." I couldn't put either book down. Very well-written, very well-researched. Here's the blurb on Amazon.com:

Bestselling author Chris Mooney uses cutting-edge research to explain the psychology behind why today’s Republicans reject reality—it's just part of who they are.

From climate change to evolution, the rejection of mainstream science among Republicans is growing, as is the denial of expert consensus on the economy, American history, foreign policy and much more. Why won't Republicans accept things that most experts agree on? Why are they constantly fighting against the facts?

Science writer Chris Mooney explores brain scans, polls, and psychology experiments to explain why conservatives today believe more wrong things; appear more likely than Democrats to oppose new ideas and less likely to change their beliefs in the face of new facts; and sometimes respond to compelling evidence by doubling down on their current beliefs.

- Goes beyond the standard claims about ignorance or corporate malfeasance to discover the real, scientific reasons why Republicans reject the widely accepted findings of mainstream science, economics, and history—as well as many undeniable policy facts (e.g., there were no “death panels” in the health care bill).
- Explains that the political parties reflect personality traits and psychological needs—with Republicans more wedded to certainty, Democrats to novelty—and this is the root of our divide over reality.
- Written by the author of The Republican War on Science, which was the first and still the most influential book to look at conservative rejection of scientific evidence. But the rejection of science is just the beginning…

Certain to spark discussion and debate, The Republican Brain also promises to add to the lengthy list of persuasive scientific findings that Republicans reject and deny.

It is an absolutely fascinating book. Mooney delves into a little bit of the structure of the brain, which I found both interesting and accurate as an anatomy and physiology teacher. He also referred to Arie Kruglanski, one of my favorite sources from my PhD dissertation. I don't want to give too much away, but he does go into comparisons of the psychology of conservatives (and also into liberals) - and his conclusions are both interesting and a little frightening. I liked his conclusions and suggestions for the future very much. I highly, highly recommend it. If you read it, you'll not only understand what makes the opposition tick a little better, but you'll know why a lot of strategies for argumentation that seem completely sensible to us completely bounce off of them.

[Lifelong Protester]

1. Too late, I read part of your post

I was going to ask if the book had any words in it...or was more than a page long....

[TexasTowelie]

2. You beat me to it!

I thought it would have to be the shortest book ever.

[elleng]

3. Similar to John Dean's Conservatives without Conscience,

who 'relies heavily on the work of a social psychologist, Dr. Altemeyer of the University of Manitoba, who has done much work on the theory of authoritarianism. According to Dean, Altemeyer's work in this area has been officially recognized, and he is considered an expert in the field.

Dr Altemeyer categorizes authoritarians as followers and leaders to varying degrees. What he also found was that authoritarians are likely to maintain certain beliefs about themselves which include a deep belief in God, patriotic, conservative, and see themselves as being more moral, ethical, honest, and better people than others in general. Their behavior however, is likely to be less honest, loyal or ethical than others.

Dean attempts to apply this to our modern day politicians of whom he is very selective. He finds a match between Altemeyer's theories and list of traits in people like Dick Cheney whom he contends is the real president, George W. Bush, Newt Gingrich, Bill Frist, Tom Delay and others.'

review by Pauzer, in Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Conservatives-Without-Conscience-John-Dean/dp/0143038869

[Kalidurga]

4. That's really weird...

I thought in order for a brain to be studied one had to be present... Ok that was too easy, but whatever.

[DJ13]

5. Light reading

[trusty elf]

6. .....

[IMG][/IMG]

[Skittles]

7. why am I thinking military intelligence?

[LeftishBrit]

8. 'The Republican Brain'? Must be the shortest book ever written.

[GeorgeGist]

9. It's a disease.

Facts are stupid things. Ronald Reagan 1988

[HopeHoops]

10. What is this "brain" of which you speak?