According to a study by Brock University in Ontario Canada by Gordon Hodson, if you’re conservative or prejudiced towards homosexuals or ethnic minorities, you might be a dumb. But seriously according to this study it showed a consistent link between low intelligence and conservatism and racism. The research behind the study showed that children low intelligence were more likely to have prejudiced attitudes as adults. The study also showed there was good evidence that its a vicious cycle.

“Low-intelligence adults tend to gravitate toward socially conservative ideologies, the study found. Those ideologies, in turn, stress hierarchy and resistance to change, attitudes that can contribute to prejudice, Hodson wrote in an email to LiveScience.”

The study found many interesting phenomenons. Social conservatives were shown to have a laundry list of beliefs. Given examples in the study were “Family life suffers if mum is working full-time,” and “Schools should teach children to obey authority.” I interpret this as living by a series of simple blanket statements. “I hate this, or I hate that”, for whatever reasons some may hate it.

Hudson also pointed out that even though there is a link between low intelligence and social conservatism, they’re not saying liberals are of a superior intelligence. It says there are intelligent conservatives and very intolerant liberals. I find this is very true. Conservative Prime Minister Steven Harper is not stupid, he is an intelligent and educated man. I find him to be a living standard killing, racist, corporatist, but he is intelligent. The study is saying not to take this as an end-all-be-all ultimate truth.

“Nonetheless, there is reason to believe that strict right-wing ideology might appeal to those who have trouble grasping the complexity of the world.

“Socially conservative ideologies tend to offer structure and order,” Hodson said, explaining why these beliefs might draw those with low intelligence. “Unfortunately, many of these features can also contribute to prejudice.””

There’s much more information available from the article on the study. Check the link in the description to get the full story.

Source:
http://www.livescience.com/18132-intelligence-social-conservatism-racism.html