Study links low intelligence with right-wing beliefs
Wency Leung
Health Reporter

Researchers have found a possible explanation for why certain people are
prejudiced: they're less intelligent.

Children with lower general intelligence are more likely to become prejudiced
as adults, according to a Brock University study.

The study, published in the journal Psychological Science, examined data from
two large-scale British studies, and found lower intelligence scores in
childhood were predictors of greater racism in adulthood, which the
researchers controversially explain is brought about by adopting right-wing
ideologies.

A secondary analysis of data from a U.S. study also showed those with poor
abstract-reasoning skills were more likely to have anti-homosexual prejudice,
partially linked to authoritarian attitudes.

Lead researcher Gordon Hodson told LiveScience that the results of the study
indicate a vicious cycle, in which people with low intelligence are drawn to
socially conservative ideologies. In turn, those ideologies can contribute to
prejudices.

"Socially conservative ideologies tend to offer structure and order," he
said, explaining why those with lower intelligence may gravitate toward the
right. "Unfortunately, many of these features can contribute to prejudice."

The researchers found that people with lower intelligence also tended to have
less contact with other races and groups, which, Dr. Hodson said, supports
previous research that determined interacting with other groups is mentally
challenging and cognitively draining.

Dr. Hodson explained the findings do not mean all liberals are smart and all
conservatives are stupid, LiveScience.com reports. "There are multiple
examples of very bright conservatives and not-so-bright liberals, and many
examples of very principled conservatives and very intolerant liberals," he
said.

Previous research has suggested that the brains of conservatives and liberals
are wired differently.