--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: when conservatives, but not liberals, are…" description: "\"“when conservatives, but not liberals, are instructed to use reappraisal techniques (e.g., “Try to view the images in a detached, unemotional way”), th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ea/robert-m-sapolsky-1166_conservative_when-conservatives-but-not-liberals-are_965849.jpg" --- # when conservatives, but not liberals, are instructed to… ![“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…” quote by Robert M. Sapolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ea/robert-m-sapolsky-1166_conservative_when-conservatives-but-not-liberals-are_965849.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ea/robert-m-sapolsky-1166_conservative_when-conservatives-but-not-liberals-are_965849.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ea/robert-m-sapolsky-1166_conservative_when-conservatives-but-not-liberals-are_965849.jpg) > ““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”” [Robert M. Sapolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-sapolsky/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. 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. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Conservative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conservative/) [Conservative Detached](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conservative-detached-1820705/) [Conservative political](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conservative-political/) [Conservatives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conservatives/) [Conservatives Liberals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conservatives-liberals-656490/) [Suppression Strategy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suppression-strategy-1820704/) ## Related quotes > [Conservative political opinion in America cleaves to the tradition of the judge as passive interpreter, believing that his absolute loyalty to authoritative law is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/learned-hand/conservative-political-opinion-in-america-cleaves-to-the-tradition-of/) [Learned Hand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/learned-hand/) > [What fascinates me is that when we look at the history of women in politics, so frequently the women who get the farthest are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karyn-kusama/what-fascinates-me-is-that-when-we-look-at-the-history-of-women-in/) [Karyn Kusama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karyn-kusama/) > [Both conservatives and liberals watch 'Parks and Recreation,' and they each think the show is for them, which is really cool. 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