The Connection Between Brain Anatomy and Political Ideology
New study explores the role of the amygdala and anterior cingulate cortex in shaping political beliefs
MEDICAL NEWS
In a Dutch study published September 2024, researchers looked at whether amygdala or anterior cingulate cortex volume correlated with political ideology.
This was based on a previous study in the United Kingdom of young adults that found a correlation between larger right amygdala volumes and conservative political views as well as finding that larger anterior cingulate cortex volumes correlated with more liberal political views.
A previous U.S. study found a correlation between larger amygdala size and individuals believing that the existing social order was legitimate and desirable, and reported that individuals with larger amygdala sizes were less likely to participate in protest movements.
In the Dutch study researchers reviewed 928 MRIs and correlated them to the subjects’ political party affiliation. They found a correlation of increasing right amygdala volume with political conservatism, but no relationship of anterior cingulate cortex volume to political ideology.
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The amygdala is an almond-like structure located within the cerebral hemispheres which is part of the limbic system. It regulates emotions, such as sadness, uncertainty, aggression, social cognition and fear. It is thought to be involved in the processing of negative stimuli such as threats.
The anterior cingulate cortex, also part of the limbic system, has a role in cognitive processes such as motivation, decision making, learning, cost-benefit calculation, and conflict and error monitoring. It may also be involved in social behavior.
It should be remembered that a correlation between two findings does not mean definitely that one caused the other. Also, political party affiliation may not fully represent a person’s views. Whether differences in brain anatomy are genetic or whether people with certain political views tend to use certain parts of their brains more often which causes them to enlarge, was not determined from these studies.
While far from proven, it is a fascinating possibility that anatomical differences in the brain and the way an individual’s brain functions may partially explain political ideology preferences.
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References
Petalas DP et al. Is political ideology correlated with brain structure? A preregistered replication IScience. September 19, 2024. Retrieved from: https://www.cell.com/action/showPdf?pii=S2589-0042%2824%2901757-7
Kanai R et al. Current Biology. 21 677-680, April 26, 2011. Political Orientations Are Correlated with Brain Structure in Young Adults. Retrieved from: https://www.cell.com/current-biology/pdf/S0960-9822(11)00289-2.pdf
Nam NH et al. Amygdala structure and the tendency to regard the social system as legitimate and desirable. Nature Human Behaviour. December 2017. Retrieved from: https://vanbavellab.hosting.nyu.edu/documents/Nam.etal.2018.NHB.pdf
Apps MA, Rushworth MF, Chang SW. The Anterior Cingulate Gyrus and Social Cognition: Tracking the Motivation of Others. Neuron. 2016;90(4):692-707. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4885021/
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