Quote:
Originally Posted by DemolitionRed
This was an interesting article by Nigel Barber Ph.D.
Peering inside the brain with MRI scans, researchers at University College London found that self-described conservative students had a larger amygdala than liberals. The amygdala is an almond-shaped structure deep in the brain that is active during states of fear and anxiety. Liberals had more gray matter at least in the anterior cingulate cortex, a region of the brain that helps people cope with complexity. https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog...in-study-finds |
To be fair it's more basic than that and the language used here (fear and anxiety vs complexity) is a little pointed.
The amygdala is responsible for instant / instinctual emotional response (fear, yes, but the other instant surface reactions too both positive and negative) and also instant motivation (action without consideration).
The ACC plays a role in higher cognitive function and emotional consideration (logic, reason, consideration and in theory empathy, as empathy is an abstract emotional response rather than one driven by instinct.)
So it's more a logic vs instinct thing here. It's not always about "fear", that's a huge oversimplification of the function of the amygdala.