UCLA Scientist Studies Effects Of Negative Political Ads On The Brain

[IDemo]

November 4, 2006 6:15 p.m. EST
Russell McSpadden - All Headline News News Writer

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - Negative political ad campaigns that point out the alleged corrupt and illicit behavior of a party's opponent are everywhere these days.

One candidate will steal the state's money, another will sell congressional decrees to the highest bidder, and one will even work to pass laws favorable to terrorists and pedophiles, or so the ads say.

Many people declare that they are tired of such negative smear campaigns. But a recent study conducted by a UCLA scientist says that negative ads affect the brain and actually work, causing people to lose empathy for the attacked candidate.

UCLA professor of psychiatry Dr. Marco Lacoboni, who has studied the effects of smear campaigns on the human brain, says the results are "actually shocking."

http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7005406717

[madmusic]

1. No surprise. Empathy is pretty much dead.

I think the effectiveness of moral panics are due to the same brain manipulation. And since we are ruled by propaganda and moral panics that dehumanize, there is bound to be less empathy across the board.

[KittyWampus]

2. this is the power of suggestion. It's what is behind "magic" as the term is used

in estoeric studies.

most people tolerate bullies and are looking for people to stand up to them

[shanti]

3. good thing...

that i NEVER watch or see any political ads!

[kwolf68]

4. There are exceptions

Paul Wellstone ran a very positive campaign and came from nowhere to US Senate. Damn, I miss that guy.

[progressivebydesign]

5. I completely believe it. Empathy IS dead.

I can go through the laborious process of describing why empathy is dead... but I'll save it for another time.

[OKIsItJustMe]

6. National Organizations are the worst

In this area we had one campaign which was enough to make us sick. The slimiest ads though were mounted by the RCCC and the DCCC. In the waning days of the campaign, the candidates themselves were actually running positive ads, but they were drowned out by the nationals.

After seeing this, and other examples, I will never give another cent to either the DCCC or the DSCC. (Are you listening Democrats!?)