The Republican brain: the science of why they deny science-and reality

Bestselling author Chris Mooney uses cutting-edge research to explain the psychology behind why today€™s Republicans reject reality€”it€™s just part of whothey are.From climate change to evolution, the rejection of mainstream science among Republicans is growing, as is the denial of expert consensus on the economy, American history, foreign policy and much more. Why won€™t Republicans accept things that most experts agree on? Why are they constantly fighting against the facts?Science writer Chris Mooney explores brain scans, polls, and psychology experiments to explain why conservatives today believe more wrong things; appear more likely than Democrats to oppose new ideas and less likely to change their beliefs in the face of new facts; and sometimes respond to compelling evidence by doubling down on their current beliefs. Goes beyond the standard claims about ignorance or corporate malfeasance to discover the real, scientific reasons why Republicans reject the widely accepted findings of mainstream science, economics, and history€”as well as many undeniable policy facts (e.g., there were no death panels€ in the health care bill).Explains that the political parties reflect personality traits and psychological needs€”with Republicans more wedded to certainty, Democrats to novelty€”and this is the root of our divide over reality.Written by the author of The Republican War on Science, which was the first and still the most influential book to look at conservative rejection of scientific evidence. But the rejection of science is just the beginning€aCertain to spark discussion and debate, The Republican Brain also promises to add to the lengthy list of persuasive scientific findings that Republicans reject and deny. INDICE: Introduction: Equations to Refute Einstein 1PART I POLITICS, FACTS, AND BRAINS 17Prelude: Liberal Fresco on a Prison Wall 191. Denying Minds 262. Smart Idiots 42PART II THE NATURE€ HYPOTHESIS: DANGEROUS CERTAINTY 573. Political Personalities 594. For God and Tribe 775. Don€™t Get Defensive 896. AreConservatives from the Amygdala? 111PART III ENTER THE ENVIRONMENT: TURNING AGAINST CHANGE 1277. A Tale of Two Republicans 1298. The Science of Fox News 147PART IV THE TRUTH: WHO€™S RIGHT, WHO€™S WRONG, AND WHO UPDATES 1699. The Reality Gap 17110. The Republican War on Economics 18711. The Republican War on History 20212. What the Frack Is True? 219PART V THE POLITICAL LABORATORY 23913.A Liberal Confronts New Data 241Conclusion: Rescuing Reality 261Acknowledgments 275Notes 279Index 311

• ISBN: 978-1-118-09451-8
• Editorial: John Wiley & Sons
• Encuadernacion: Cartoné
• Páginas: 336
• Fecha Publicación: 25/04/2012
• Nº Volúmenes: 1
• Idioma: Inglés