Conservative Quote by Robert M. Sapolsky
““when conservatives, but not liberals, are instructed to use reappraisal techniques (e.g., “Try to view the images in a detached, unemotional way”), they express less conservative political sentiments. In contrast, a suppression strategy (“Don’t let your feelings show when you’re looking at this image”) doesn’t work. As we saw, make a liberal tired, hungry, rushed, distracted, or disgusted, and they become more conservative. Make a conservative more detached about something viscerally disturbing, and they become more liberal.46””
About This Quote
Source Study: Emotion Regulation and Political Attitudes, 2022
Changing emotional distance can shift political views; detachment reduces conservatism, while induced discomfort pushes liberals toward conservatism.
In simple terms: Emotions shape politics; altering them changes opinions.
Key Takeaway
Use emotional regulation to understand bias.
Themes
politics
psychology
emotion regulation
bias
cognitive flexibility
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
research
insightful
When to use this quote
- political campaigning
- debate preparation
- media consumption
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
affective neuroscience
political ideology
Questions to Reflect On
- How might you use emotion regulation to foster open dialogue?
- What are the risks of altering emotions for persuasion?
A Different Perspective
Emotional manipulation may raise ethical concerns.
