Proof that republicans ignore facts contrary to their beliefs

[kang]

Check out this article: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11009379

The study they did clearly states that republicans ignore facts contrary to their beliefs. Here’s a short quote:

The test subjects …. reached totally biased conclusions by ignoring information that could not rationally be discounted, Westen and his colleagues say.

I think this certainly happens in the political discussions on this board. I think it also true in the science versus religion debate, although over time, the scientific method would seem to minimize “ignoring information that could not rationally be discounted” at least in the realm of established scientific theory. Discussions about science and religion on this board are another matter, though, with posts that clearly ignore or are unaware of established facts. Am I guilty? Probably. See the P.S. below.


P.S. In all honesty, I think ignoring facts contrary to your beliefs is human nature. As you can see, I am ignoring what the article says about democrats. Perhaps it is contrary to my beliefs, which just proves the article is correct! Flame suit on…

[ckissick]

Since you have your flame suit on: I think your thread title is pretty disingenuous and a cheap shot, since neither side appears more guilty than the other. But I guess you knew that.

Anyway, since Democrats also ignore the facts to suit their preferred conclusion, I guess that explains why my reasonging never gets through to them even though I am always right.

[Tobra]

If they did a study that found that Republicans and Democrats both ignore facts that contradict their beliefs, what were they hoping to prove? Seems like a poorly designed study is a big part of the problem here.
Link did not work for me.

[ubiquity0]

"Proof that republicans ignore facts contrary to their beliefs"
err.... this applies to the I-love-political-rallies-and-partisan-group-jerk-websites crowd on both sides!!!

"If they did a study that found that Republicans and Democrats both ignore facts that contradict their beliefs, what were they hoping to prove? Seems like a poorly designed study is a big part of the problem here. "
Well I think they are saying...
"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."

Notably absent were any increases in activation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain most associated with reasoning."



*no PPOT members were harmed during the course of this study.

[singpilot]

Originally posted by ckissick
Anyway, since Democrats also ignore the facts to suit their preferred conclusion, I guess that explains why my reasonging never gets through to them even though I am always right.

Charlie. You have stated my thought process so succintly, no other words could amplify your position.

Well done.

Michael.

[911pcars]

The key is to periodically question your own beliefs. Easier said than done. If one could do that, you will have reached..... objectivity.

Though not necessarily educated and smart as we know it, a wise person has that quality. As proof, look at all the educated and obviously learned people we have in government and corporate boardrooms.

Sherwood

[porschezealot]

d

[porschezealot]

whoops. I don;t see how it's big news. Typically the more partisan a person's thinking is, the more apt they are to ignore the facts. I'm a firm believer that most reasonable people are really towards the middle, but when the country's divided the way it is, people really get swayed into their partisanship.