dems more empathetic

scientists are researching the brain scan differences between republicans and democrats, and they've found some interesting differences.

[S]ome differences appeared between the brain activity of Democrats and Republicans. Take empathy: One Democrat's brain lit up at an image of Kerry "with a profound sense of connection, like a beautiful sunset," Freedman said. Brain activity in a Republican shown an image of Bush was "more interpersonal, such as if you smiled at someone and they smiled back."

And when voters were shown a Bush ad that included images of the Sept. 11 attacks, the amygdala region of the brain — which lights up for most of us when we see snakes — illuminated more for Democrats than Republicans. The researchers' conclusion: At a subconscious level, Republicans were apparently not as bothered by what Democrats found alarming.

that doesn't seem quite fair. democrats may be more empathetic, but that republicans' amygdalas, the center for emotional fear, didn't react when watching clips about 9/11 as dems did doesn't imply that they aren't upset by what they see. republicans may feel more disgust or anger, not thought to be found in the amygdala.

Labels: ideology, neuroscience, political