Liberals have more gray matter in a part of the brain associated with understanding complexity, while the conservative brain is bigger in the section related to processing fear.
A study by Ryota Kanai of the University College London found that conservative brains are "more sensitive to disgust … respond to threatening situations with mo e aggression … and are more sensitive to threatening facial expressions"; while liberal brains “have a higher capacity to tolerate uncertainty and conflicts."
This conclusion is particular striking: “… the central issue in determining political views appears to revolve around fear and how it affects a person.”
Read the full article on Google News.
Another article in EarthSky.org on the same topic: “…conservatives are more sensitive to threat or anxiety in the face of uncertainty, while liberals tend to be more open to new experiences.”
So what are the implications on innovation?
Are liberals more likely to be innovators? From their brain characteristics, they certainly sound like it: openness to new experiences, greater ability to understand complexity, and to deal with uncertainty and conflicts.
The characteristics of the conservative brain seem to be the opposite: sensitivity to threat, anxiety in the face of uncertainly, and fear. The tendency to respond to fear with aggression would be very counterproductive in brainstorming sessions.
