People with extremist views less able to do complex mental tasks, research suggests

[Judi Lynn]

Cambridge University team say their findings could be used to spot people at risk from radicalisation

Natalie Grover
Sun 21 Feb 2021 19.01 EST

Our brains hold clues for the ideologies we choose to live by, according to research, which has suggested that people who espouse extremist attitudes tend to perform poorly on complex mental tasks.

Researchers from the University of Cambridge sought to evaluate whether cognitive disposition – differences in how information is perceived and processed – sculpt ideological world-views such as political, nationalistic and dogmatic beliefs, beyond the impact of traditional demographic factors like age, race and gender.

The study, built on previous research, included more than 330 US-based participants aged 22 to 63 who were exposed to a battery of tests – 37 neuropsychological tasks and 22 personality surveys – over the course of two weeks.

The tasks were engineered to be neutral, not emotional or political – they involved, for instance, memorising visual shapes. The researchers then used computational modelling to extract information from that data about the participant’s perception and learning, and their ability to engage in complex and strategic mental processing.d

More:
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/feb/22/people-with-extremist-views-less-able-to-do-complex-mental-tasks-research-suggests

[relayerbob]

1. Guess what?

They'll never believe it. "Them pointy head nerds don't know nothin' 'bout me. Now, git me my hood"

[OAITW r.2.0]

2. Hope we get extensive psych/emotional/intellectual profiles on all of the Insurrectionists.

I think we will be surprised about what we learn about this group and, maybe, ourselves.

[rickyhall]

3. So hate is bad for the haters? Who da thought?

[summer_in_TX]

4. Brains NEED to be in an environment of diverse points of view

Brain research shows that for the brain its "use it or lose it." Synapses atrophy from disuse. Whole sets of innate abilities wither from disuse.

New theories of why we dreaming postulate it may be a way to stimulate the visual part of the brain while we are asleep so those synapses don't begin the process of atrophying.

It makes sense that for those who are trapped in a media echo chamber, their brains are not exposed to complex discussions between people of diverse points of view where they have the opportunity to their own understanding broadened, deepened, or even have their minds changed.

That environment shapes people who may not be capable of understanding the point of view of others. Plus the way right wing media focuses on stoking anger, fear, and a sense of grievance lessens the ability to feel empathy and to understand others.

That's why we NEED to have something like the Fairness Doctrine restored. I'd like to see a public interest standard be applied to all forms of media. Cable TV, social media too. Social media would be tricky but algorithms could be tweaked to ensure users are fed stories from diverse points of view.

[AZ8theist]

5. "Less able to do complex mental tasks"????

From what I can see, they are UNABLE to do ANY MENTAL TASKS.....

At least those requiring intelligent reasoning.

?1