Where do you fit in

Due to the current political situation in the USA, liberals and conservatives appeared as a topic of discussion in our classroom. These are two opposing ideologies in the United States. You can sort them into Democrats (Liberals) and Republicans (Conservatives). But what are the differences and why do people think that way?

What is the difference?

Liberals are more open-minded, which means they support social and political change in government. For example, most liberals are pro-choice (women may or may not choose to have an abortion) or pro-gun control. The name "liberal" can be traced back to the Latin "liber", which means "free". The meaning behind the name says a lot about a liberal opinion, so liberals basically like to try new things and are not traditional.

Conservatives are conventional, that is, they are for tradition or belief. That is, they believe in personal responsibility (causing your own actions), individual freedom (freedom to make your own decisions) and a well-developed national defense (good military). Conservatives, for example, are for gun rights and against abortion. So these people serve to empower individuals to solve problems.

Why do you think so?

There is a biological difference between liberals and conservatives. Liberals have a larger anterior cingulate cortex, which means they have a better understanding and are good at monitoring conflict. Conservatives, on the other hand, have a larger amygdala that helps manage anxiety. There was a study that showed which person was conservative and which was liberal by looking at brain scans and showing people pictures of limbs. In Liberals, the brain has been activated in the 2 somatosensory region, which activates when you feel sad. Some people didn't really show any reaction. They're conservatives, but that doesn't mean they didn't like anything, these people just handled the pain differently. So the beliefs of liberals and conservatives are brain-related, but of course people's environment also counts.

How can we understand each other's differences?

People often start arguing or fighting because they have different opinions on things (like liberals and conservatives) like abortion, guns, or immigration. The reason is that we often tend to overestimate the extent of our opinion. We also consider other comments or opinions to be a threat that shows us that we are wrong or abnormal, which is not always the case. To understand each other's thoughts, we need to listen carefully and consider each other's values.

The conflict between these two ideologies is caused by their different brains. Where liberals are socially progressive, conservatives oppose rapid change and support the maintenance of traditions in society. In order to understand each other, it is important not to be offended by other people's opinions and to listen.

What ideology do you like best, and what tips do you have that can help people tell and understand other people's beliefs? Comment!

Lena

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