#13 Politics & Biology: The Shocking Link Between Brain Differences and Political Ideologies!

Dr. Kevin Smith studies the biology and psychology of individual-level differences in political attitudes and behaviour. In this conversation, Dr. Kevin Smith discusses the intersection of psychophysiology and political behavior, exploring how individuals respond to political stimuli and the physiological and psychological impacts of political stress. Timestamps:00:00 Intro02:23 Introduction to Psychophysiology and Political Responses05:22 The Impact of Political Stimuli on Mental Health08:19 The Role of Social Media in Political Stress11:23 Political Stress Across Different Countries14:17 Evolutionary Perspectives on Political Stress17:27 Differences in Stress Responses: Left vs. Right20:15 Physiological Measurements in Political Psychology23:21 Genetics and Political Ideology26:24 The Neuroscience of Emotion in Politics29:23 Causality: Genetics vs. Environment in Political Beliefs45:03 The Connection Between Olfaction and Political Orientation47:51 Biological Markers and Political Engagement54:57 Neuro-Politics: Brain Differences in Ideology01:43 Understanding Polarization and Tribalism01:11:50 Changing Minds: The Psychology of Belief01:20:21 Politics as a Process: A Perspective on Stress _Follow My Neuroscience Podcast - The Giants Shoulder_Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5m3Gta5MtIYdk59pb2GJ7M?si=b33232eae67b4126Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/brief-enquiry-to-the-brain/id1752486249