Would You Slap Your Father? If So, You’re a Liberal

New York Times ^ | May 28, 2009 | Nicholas D. Kristof

[reaganaut1]

If you want to tell whether someone is conservative or liberal, what are a couple of completely nonpolitical questions that will give a good clue?

How’s this: Would you be willing to slap your father in the face, with his permission, as part of a comedy skit?

And, second: Does it disgust you to touch the faucet in a public restroom?

Studies suggest that conservatives are more often distressed by actions that seem disrespectful of authority, such as slapping Dad. Liberals don’t worry as long as Dad has given permission.

Likewise, conservatives are more likely than liberals to sense contamination or perceive disgust. People who would be disgusted to find that they had accidentally sipped from an acquaintance’s drink are more likely to identify as conservatives.

The upshot is that liberals and conservatives don’t just think differently, they also feel differently. This may even be a result, in part, of divergent neural responses.

This came up after I wrote a column earlier this year called “The Daily Me.” I argued that most of us employ the Internet not to seek the best information, but rather to select information that confirms our prejudices. To overcome that tendency, I argued, we should set aside time for a daily mental workout with an ideological sparring partner. Afterward, I heard from Jonathan Haidt, a psychology professor at the University of Virginia. “You got the problem right, but the prescription wrong,” he said.

Simply exposing people to counterarguments may not accomplish much, he said, and may inflame antagonisms.

A study by Diana Mutz of the University of Pennsylvania found that when people saw tight television shots of blowhards with whom they disagreed, they felt that the other side was even less legitimate than before.

[reaganaut1]

On the slapping "question", I'm proud to be a conservative. Perhaps liberals are more likely to be raised by fathers so wimpy that the idea of slapping them can seem plausible.

[steve-b]

Conclusion: “Conservatism” is a neurosis.

[Islander7]

Would You Slap Your Father? If So, You’re a Liberal

Not in a million years! I smart-mouth my mother once, just once and that was 50 years ago. Never again!

[MrB]

Which of these does the left NOT advocate violating?

12 “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.

13 “You shall not murder.

14 “You shall not commit adultery.

15 “You shall not steal.

16 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Does it disgust you to touch the faucet in a public restroom?

"Just...don't go there. Ok?"

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

On the slapping “question”, I’m proud to be a conservative. Perhaps liberals are more likely to be raised by fathers so wimpy that the idea of slapping them can seem plausible.
___________________________________________________

Or not raised with one at all (Zero).

[svcw]

I am trying to think what would have happened if I slapped my father in the face. Now if we were goofing around...but in anger, (shivers) nope I don’t want to think what would have happened.

[henkster]

I would not be comfortable slapping anyone, permission or not. Unless they really pi$$ed me off, and then it would not be a slap.

As for the public restroom, all I want to touch is the soles of my shoes to the floor.

[4rcane]

liberals = heart
conservative = brain

[dfwgator]

Not in a million years! I smart-mouth my mother once,

"Once!"

[BibChr]

I have a vivid imagination. I can imagine almost anything. So, yeah, I could imagine doing that.

Once.

After that, everything goes black.

[BibChr]

Conceptual near-tie

[MrB]

liberals => world, spirit of falsehood
conservatives => spirit of truth

1 John 4:5-6
5They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. 6We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit[a] of truth and the spirit of falsehood.

(the “spirit of falsehood” is Satan)

[hosepipe]

Most liberal fathers SHOULD BE SLAPPED..
for being democrats..

[jackv]

Well yes, I do take measures to stay healthy and disease free by practicing good hygiene.
THAT is considered “conservative”?? That explains alot!!
Good grief!!

[y6162]

liberals = defective units

[gitmo]

Interesting article. It goes to the root of what causes different people to become libs or conservatives.

I don’t agree with the conclusions on disgust. My experience is that libs are more sqeemish about things than conservatives. Of course, maybe I’m jaded from years of cleaning up after horses, cattles, elephants, owls (that stuff really is slippery ... that’s not just a joke) and camels.

[MrB]

considering some of the non-hygienic “practices” that libs approve of, nay, “celebrate”, I can see why they aren’t as bothered about spreading germs

[gitmo]

I can’t believe I said “cattles”. Sheesh.

[Mr. Blonde]

I was going to say I agree on the slapping front and don’t see the sharing drinks thing. I’m not going to try to drink someone else’s drink, but I’m not going to tear up if I do either.