How Your Brain Is Telling You To Vote

How Your Brain Is Telling You To Vote

As another presidential election approaches, political conversations seem to be everywhere –at family gatherings, on social media, and in the workplace. These discussions can quickly become heated, often leading to frustration, misunderstandings, and, in some cases, strained or even terminated relationships.  But what if the way we vote is influenced more by the biology of our brains than by our rational, conscious thoughts? What if our political beliefs are, to some extent, preordained by our genetics and brain structure? Research in neuroscience and psychology suggests that this might be truer than we think.  That whether we vote red or blue, our grey matter matters a lot.

We know that the human brain is an intricate, powerful organ that governs almost every aspect of our lives, from our daily routines to our deepest beliefs and convictions. It’s no surprise then that the brain also plays a significant role in shaping our political beliefs and voting behaviors, and evidence using Functional MRI (fMRI) appears to support that position.

By observing the brain’s activity in real-time with brain imaging technology, scientists have been able to identify key differences in how conservatives and liberals process political information.  For example, studies using brain imaging have shown that conservatives tend to have a more active amygdala, a region of the brain that is heavily involved in processing fear, threat detection, and emotional responses. This heightened activity might explain why conservative individuals are often more focused on security, stability, law and order, and tradition over rapid change. They might be more sensitive to perceived threats and therefore more inclined to support policies that emphasize order and control.  For these voters, Former President Donald Trump’s “Make a America Great Again” slogan then may encapsulate a vision of the US that prioritizes traditional family values, a stronger or closed Mexico border, a more thriving economy and religious values and morals.

In contrast, liberals often show greater activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), a region associated with processing complexity, uncertainty, and conflicting information. This area of the brain is crucial for tasks that require cognitive flexibility and openness to new experiences. As a result, liberals might be more comfortable with change and more likely to support policies that promote social progress and innovation. They might also be better equipped to handle ambiguity and to reconcile conflicting ideas.  For liberal voters, then Former President Barak Obama’s “Hope and Change” slogan is fitting.

And it’s important to keep in mind that these brain-based differences are not just theoretical; they manifest in how people respond to real-world political issues. For instance, when confronted with a topic like immigration or national security, conservatives might experience a stronger emotional reaction that leads them to prioritize safety and control. Liberals, on the other hand, might approach the same issue with a focus on empathy, inclusiveness, and long-term social benefits.  Thus, on the topic of the Mexico/Us border, a conservative person might think, “Over 10,000 aliens are crossing into the US from Mexico illegally daily.  “That’s unsustainable, and that will lead to increased crime, fewer job opportunities for taxpaying US citizens and a weaker economy via more free government handouts.”  In contrast, a more liberally minded person might think, “Well where are all of those desperate people who are fleeing their counties from persecution and violence going to go?”  Or, “Taking them in is the right and the American thing to do, and our country thrives on inclusion and diversity.”  For the former group, the focus is on keeping “illegal aliens” out, and for the latter group, it’s more about understanding the problem to empathically support “undocumented immigrants” toward US citizenship.  Recognizing these very differing neurological underpinnings can help explain why political debates on topics like the border often seem so intractable and combative — our brains are literally wired to see the world differently!

While the brain’s structure and function play a crucial role in shaping our political beliefs, another important factor comes into play — genetics. It might seem strange to think that something as complex as voting behavior could be influenced by our DNA, but research into the genetic basis of political preferences has yielded some surprising findings.

One of the most compelling pieces of evidence comes from studies of twins, particularly identical twins. Identical twins share nearly 100% of their genetic material, while fraternal twins share about 50%, similar to any other siblings. By comparing the political attitudes and voting behaviors of these two groups, researchers have been able to estimate the extent to which genetics influence political beliefs.

The results of these studies are striking. Identical twins are significantly more likely to share similar political views compared to fraternal twins, suggesting that genetics plays a substantial role in shaping our political leanings. In fact, some studies estimate that about 40-50% of the variation in political attitudes can be attributed to genetic factors. This doesn’t mean that there is a specific “voting gene” that determines how we vote, but rather that genetic predispositions can influence how we interpret and respond to political information.

For instance, genes related to personality traits such as openness to experience, conscientiousness, and agreeableness have been linked to political orientations. Individuals who are genetically predisposed to be more open to new experiences might be more likely to adopt liberal viewpoints, while those who are naturally more conscientious and risk-averse might gravitate toward conservative ideologies. These genetic influences, of course, interact with environmental factors, such as family upbringing, education, and life experiences, to shape our overall political identity.

It seems then that how we vote isn’t a nature vs. nurture thing, but rather a nature and nurture thing where the interplay between internal factors (i.e. brain realities and genetics) and external realities (i.e. our upbringing and experiences, etc.) altogether determines whether you vote one way or another.  Understanding these general trends can help explain why certain political arguments resonate more strongly with some people than with others. It also underscores the importance of recognizing that our political beliefs are not entirely the result of conscious, rational thought.

So, what does all this brain science mean for you and your voting habits? Perhaps it means we might do well to have more empathy, patience and understanding — and less judgement — for those we disagree with.  If our brains are predisposed to lean one way or another, which seems to be the case, it might be time to cut your family member, friend, or neighbor some slack if they don’t share your views.  Instead of viewing folks we disagree with politically as simply being misguided, uninformed or ignorant, we can choose instead to be more understanding and kind.