Stay Tuned with Preet The Gray Area: The science of ideology
May 29, 2025
Leor Zmigrod, a political psychologist and neuroscientist, dives into the fascinating interplay between biology, psychology, and political beliefs. She explores how our brain wiring influences rigidity and flexibility in thinking. The conversation highlights the dangers of dogmatism and the vital need for open-mindedness, especially in today’s polarized world. Zmigrod emphasizes nurturing creativity and critical thinking as essential tools for navigating ideological divides, and challenges listeners to reassess their deeply held beliefs.
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Defining Ideology's Core
- Ideology consists of a fixed doctrine and a rigid identity connected to that doctrine.
- It creates antagonism towards non-believers and dictates strict social rules.
Ideology as Thinking Style
- Ideological thinking is more about how people think than what they believe.
- Different ideologues share similar thinking mechanics despite varying beliefs.
Testing Cognitive Flexibility
- Use cognitive tests like the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test to assess mental flexibility.
- Adaptation to changing rules signals cognitive flexibility, resistance to change indicates rigidity.
