Are Political Views Hardwired? Political Orientations Are Correlated with Brain Structure in Young Adults

A new study published in Current Biology found that political orientations of young adults are correlated with brain structure.  Researchers conducted MRI scans of 90 young adult volunteers and found that self-described liberals have a larger anterior cingulate cortex, the part of the brain believed to be responsible for rational cognitive functions and empathy. Meanwhile, those calling themselves conservatives are more likely to have a larger amygdala, an area that is associated with emotional response and social integration.