Understanding how our brains determine conservative and progressive traits
Recap/Update
Yet once again I’ve got myself in a topical dilemma. As I’ve investigated the wealth of information associated with the way we humans think and act in our relations with other humans and lifeforms, I humbly realize I can’t do justice to this issue in one or two posts. It’s just too important at this juncture in modern history to ignore learning why society is becoming more polarized, which I address in subsequent sections.
Incidentally, several previous posts have addressed related topics, including A Little Learning (or Too Much Ignorance) Can Be a Dangerous Thing and, Developing a “Big-Picture” Worldview. But a recent post – Our Socio-Ecological Predicament: A Retrospective – is particularly relevant, as it explains the psycho-emotional traits we modern humans have acquired via socio-cultural influences, including the socio-political institutional systems of patriarchy, hierarchy, and anthropocentrism. The conclusion reached regarding the principal upstream driver of our polarized socioecological predicament is encapsulated in this quote:
Our growing socio-ecological predicament (metacrisis) is the composite experiential outcome of our expanding separation from the rest of Nature. Having lost our intimate contact with the rest of Nature’s animate beings and inanimate entities, we have become a species existing out of our evolutionary context. The acquired socio-cultural beliefs of patriarchy, hierarchy, and anthropocentrism may be considered as prime agents of influence.
At this point I plan on addressing a series of posts focused on topics related to socio-cultural and political polarization, including: 1) this post’s coverage of significant inherited and acquired brain functions; 2) inherited and acquired personalities and principal types (extroverts, introverts, ambiverts); 3) stage-levels of human development (from childhood egocentrism to mature-adulthood ecocentrism); 4) the personality traits associated with Dark Triad and Light Triad individuals; and 5) a summary wrap-up featuring balanced, hybrid modes and examples. This lineup will likely be modified as I proceed, but I plan on covering all topics listed.
Before delving into the various psycho-emotional aspects of socio-political polarization and the contrasting effects of harmful and constructive personality traits, we need to acknowledge a polarization quandary, particularly in the U.S. In general, the polarization quandary refers to the complex and multifaceted challenge of extreme social and political division. Hence, while populations may not be as ideologically divided as they seem to be, they are often emotionally polarized, leading to animosity and mistrust that undermine democratic functions and societal well-being.
I assume all readers are feeling the heavy moral weight of rapid social and ecological changes occurring globally, so it may help to address some principal drivers.
Acceleration of Social and Ecological PolarizationPlease bear in mind that the title “Socio-Ecological Polarization” addresses both the polarization of people and society, as well as the polarization of humans and the natural environment. As mentioned above, both forms are explained in the previous post as the cumulative result of our 10,000 years of increasing estrangement from our evolutionary origins. (Note: Some anthropological genetic evidence indicates that socio-cultural influences continued shaping genetic development over the past 10,000 years, a topic to be addressed in the next post.)
It’s easy to understand why these topics are being raised today. After surviving four years of Trumpism, most Americans appreciated having four years of a relatively calm, steady (and mostly sane) socio-political climate. But with the incoming 2025 U.S. administration practically every aspect of life has been effectively discombobulated, as exemplified with deteriorating societal standards of civility in speech and behavior.
It seems all of the negative (bad, harmful) personality types have increased over the last decade, thanks largely to the constant dissemination of selected information (news), misinformation, and disinformation via social and partisan-siloed media networks and personalities. Even worse, the overall tone and mood of societal polarization has grown more vitriolic.
Every day in the news media we encounter more speech and behavior that is caustic, crude, and hateful. It seems all of the formerly closeted crazies are proudly and recklessly “coming out” to reveal their innermost distastes – and negative personalities.
In the U.S. many political, economic, and religious leaders increasingly appear under the influence of psychopathic, ideological zealots and self-serving individuals seeking undeserved prestige, esteem, and power – all to the detriment of the common good. In addition, a highly materialistic, money-oriented, socio-economic capitalistic system has spawned a growing core of egocentric oligarch billionaires blatantly using their extreme wealth to wield inordinate economic and political power.
This serious problem is explained succinctly in a quote from Oxfam America:
For years, Oxfam — along with advocates and activists around the world — have argued that the extreme concentration of wealth leads to the extreme concentration of power, allowing an ultra-rich few to tighten their control over governments, economies, and media. . . When power belongs to just a few, democracy suffers as extreme inequality worsens. Oligarchy isn’t created overnight—decades of policies and politics across parties in favor of giant corporations and the ultra-rich have got us here.
Our Human Brain: Evolution and Development of Cognitive Functions
A disheartening observation is the increasing gullibility of so many Americans and other global citizens to blindly accept misinformation and disinformation (lies), seldom questioning the distributed information and the sources. The general population’s lack of thoughtful informational processing using rational, critical, and systemic big-picture criteria Is pervasive in all areas of life. To the detriment of the common good, this general ignorance is allowing psychopathic actors to foment societal pandemonium.
Athough most people mean well and have good intentions, they seem unable to discern potential long-term consequences of their actions. Why is this? The answer probably relates to the influences of both nature and nurture, the inherited traits of short-term survival responses and the acquired traits of socio-cultural and educational systems. Our brains simply need training, which requires long-term learning focused on gaining the essential knowledge, experiences, and critical thinking skills needed for coping with lifelong challenges.
While brain science is an ongoing study, particularly regarding hemispherical functions, considerable research and theories are widely accepted as explanations. For instance, The Master and His Emissary, an influential book by British psychiatrist Iain McGilchrist argues that while the brain’s right hemisphere is the more insightful and reliable master, the left hemisphere is a useful servant for analytical and manipulative tasks.
The brain’s left-hemisphere
McGilchrist asserts that the left-hemisphere’s role is effective in focusing attention to facilitate manipulation, invention, and control, by creating a static, decontextualized, and fragmented interpretation of reality. In other words, it simplifies reality in a one-tract way in order to control it, effectively ignoring the general context.
Traits associated with the left hemisphere include functions that are logical, analytical, linear, verbal, factual, and sequential. In Western Civilization these traits are associated with historical eras like the Reformation (c.1517-1648), the Enlightenment (c.1650-1800), the Industrial Age (c.1760-1840), and the Modern-Contemporary era (c.1900-present), which has encouraged innovation, abstraction, and conceptual ideas that engage the analytical and problem-solving capabilities for new forms of expression.
There are too many examples of modern-art movements (c.1900-1970s), but some of the most pertinent movements include Cubism, Futurism, Dadaism, Surrealism, and Abstract Expressionism. Also, there’s the Pop Art of the 1950s-1960s (think of Andy Warhol’s Campbell Soup Cans painting), Conceptual Art (1960s-1970s), Street and Feminist Art (1970’s-present), and most recently, Digital and New Media Art (1980s -present).
The brain’s right-hemisphere and a story illustrating both hemispheres
In contrast to the left-hemisphere, the right-hemisphere’s role is responsible for a broader, more nuanced type of attention that grasps the living, interconnected whole of reality. Traits include functions that are creative, intuitive, artistic, non-verbal, emotional, and imaginative. In Western Civilization these traits are associated with the musical/artistic holistic approach in the Medieval (500-1500), and Romantic (1820-1900) eras, with tendencies featuring intuition and emotional responses. These more ecologically-oriented traits differ starkly when compared to the modern-art movement’s many innovative approaches, which appear more anthropocentrically oriented.
The book’s title (The Master and His Emissary) is based on a story of a wise ruler (representing the left-hemisphere master) who sends an emissary (representing the right-hemisphere) to govern distant parts of the kingdom. The emissary, convinced he could do anything and everything, becomes bitter and overreaches, usurping the master’s authority and leading the kingdom to ultimate ruin.
McGilchrist uses this story to illustrate how the left-hemisphere has also usurped control from the right-hemisphere, and consequently dominated Western society’s thinking, resulting in a fragmented, mechanistic, and less meaningful world. In combining neuroscience, philosophy, and history, the author shows how a continued overemphasis on left-hemisphere functions like logic and abstraction has impoverished culture and diminished attention to the holistic, values-rich perspective provided by the right hemisphere.
I enjoyed reading this author’s mind-stimulating book and especially benefited from his podcast interviews, including one titled Wisdom, Nature, and the Brain with Nate Hagens. Highly recommended.
Additional Brain Findings
It should be noted that, while neurological findings agree with much of McGilchrist’s findings, some experts express concerns. In general, it seems to be agreement that, though hemisphere specialization exists, cognitive tasks are widely distributed between both hemispheres working in tandem.
As for scientific neurological findings regarding associations of conservative and liberals, some neuroimaging studies using MRI imaging show that greater liberalism is correlated with larger volume of the brain’s anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), which is associated with conflict monitoring, cognitive flexibility, and a tolerance for ambiguity and novelty. In contrast, greater conservatism appears to be associated with more volume in the larger right-amygdala, which is associated with vigilant threat-processing security, and predictability.
Reports involving larger studies show that such overall effects are small and complex. Recent findings indicate much weaker associations, depending on context, measurement. and sample differences. In short, while brain differences may exist at the group level, they are subtle and difficult to diagnose.
Experimental work in physiology and threat sensitivity, such as startle response and skin conductance, supports the case that, on average, some conservatives exhibit stronger physiological responses to novel or threatening stimuli, which may explain policy preferences for strong national defense and law-and-order. However, other studies find mixed results, concluding that physiological traits are not uniform across all conservatives or liberals.
As far as I can discern, the final word on this topic remains open. On the other hand, based on personal observations of individuals and groups, I’m inclined to favor McGilgrist’s explanations. It seems that he agrees with most professionals researching human thinking and behavior that, while brain-hemispherical dominance exists, all complex cognitive processes require collaboration between both hemispheres.
Actually, I find it confusing that, in this case, the left-hemisphere is associated with conservative traits and the right-hemisphere with liberal traits. It’s hard to reconcile this reversed designation with the common references of polarization attributed to right-wing and left-wing socio-political positions. Of course, the brain evolved far earlier than the use of right-wing and left-wing political references, which originated during the French Revolution in 1789, stemming from the seating arrangement in the National Assembly.
Wrap Up
So far, in this exploration of brain development and roles of the two hemispheres, I think we can concur with the general view that both are essential in providing the requisite psycho-emotional tools for coping effectively in life, whether a task requires single-mindedness or holistic comprehension. Since both are needed, they deserve our respect, appreciation, and appropriate use.
As I’ve reiterated, perhaps too often, the major problem with our expanding socio-political polarization appears to be a growing estrangement from our evolutionary origins. The human superorganism has grown too complex and fragmented, the result of exponential growth, as measured in terms of size, scope, scale, and speed.
A final observation: Despite the many amazing innovations and improvements made by many brilliant humans, a large segment of the global population displays a dearth of knowledge and expertise in big-picture thinking. In every fundamental way our human operating system needs a major overhaul.
Increasingly, a progression of harmful socio-cultural beliefs and practices are accentuating the shortcomings of our collective genetic programming – and spurning the positive characteristics. From all critical observations and findings, both society and the bio-ecosphere are experiencing the negative effects. Unfortunately, going forward we can anticipate exploring more aspects of societal polarization.
Tune in next time to explore the roles of Nature and Nurture in human development, plus three personality types: extroverts, introverts, and ambiverts. What type might you be?
Till then . . .
Clif (with Bettye Ware, reader/editor)
Illustration provided the author. Click the image to enlarge.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Clifton Ware, D.M., emeritus professor (voice), professional singer and author of four published books and two unpublished works, retired in 2007 from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities School of Music, where he taught for 37 years. Since retiring, as a self-described socio-ecological philosopher he has spent 15 years focusing on sustainability issues, in the process of acquiring an evidence-based, big-picture understanding of all principal societal and ecological systems, including the symbiotic interconnections and role of humans as an integral part of Nature. In 2013 he founded Citizens for Sustainability in St. Anthony Village, MN, produced Sustainability News + Views (2014-2019), a weekly newsletter featuring a variety of articles and a commentary, co-composed 13 Eco Songs with his wife, Bettye, organized Sustainability Forums, and performed eco-oriented programs and presentations for several organizations.
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