Both genetics and environment influence the structure of the brain. British scientists have recently discovered that even in young adults (mean age 23.5) political orientation is related to differences in brain structure. Participants indicated their political orientation on a four-point scale from 1 (liberal) to 4 (conservative). Greater liberalism was associated with increased grey matter volume in a region near the front of the brain called the anterior cingulate cortex (a), whereas greater conservatism was associated with a greater volume in the right amygdala (b) (Kanai et al., 2011). These differences in brain structure probably reflect the emotional and cognitive traits of individuals, which are reflected in their inclinations towards one political orientation or the other. For example, conservatism is associated with a psychological need to avoid uncertainty (need for order, intolerance of ambiguity and lack of openness to experience) and to manage threats (anxiety around death and perception of the world as a dangerous place) (Jost et al., 2007).

KANAI, R., FEILDEN, T., FIRTH, C., & REES, G. (2011). POLITICAL ORIENTATIONS ARE CORRELATED WITHBRAIN STRUCTURES IN YOUNG ADULTS. CURRENT BIOLOGY, 21(8), PP. 677–680. FIGURE 1.