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Do Racism, Conservatism, and Low I.Q. Go Hand in Hand?

Crabtownboy

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However, what struck me most about this image posted above was the Facebook page it came from, “Too Informed to Vote Republican.” I wondered about this, recalling an old journal article I’d come across when studying anti-Islamic attitudes post 9/11. The paper referenced a correlation between conservatism and low intelligence. Uncertain of its origin, I located a thought-provoking article published in one of psychology’s top journals, Psychological Science, which in essence confirms this.

Hodson and Busseri (2012) found in a correlational study that lower intelligence in childhood is predictive of greater racism in adulthood, with this effect being mediated (partially explained) through conservative ideology. They also found poor abstract reasoning skills were related to homophobic attitudes which was mediated through authoritarianism and low levels of intergroup contact.

What this study and those before it suggest is not necessarily that all liberals are geniuses and all conservatives are ignorant. Rather, it makes conclusions based off of averages of groups. The idea is that for those who lack a cognitive ability to grasp complexities of our world, strict-right wing ideologies may be more appealing. Dr. Brian Nosek explained it for the Huffington Post as follows, “ideologies get rid of the messiness and impose a simple solution. So, it may not be surprising that people with less cognitive capacity will be attracted to simplifying ideologies.” For an excellent continuation of this discussion and past studies, please see this article from LiveScience.





Do Racism, Conservatism, and Low I.Q. Go Hand in Hand?
 

rlvaughn

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Apparently "Racism, Liberalism, and High I.Q. Go Hand in Hand" as well, based on part of this article at Religion Dispatches.
Not so fast, liberals...Reality shows that ecclesiastical segregation is a sociological trend that...includes congregations and denominations that are decidedly liberal and stand at the opposite end of the theological spectrum.
 

Revmitchell

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So when the extreme fare left have nothing else the fall back on their trusted accusations i.e. racism, conservatives are stupid, homophobic, etc. It means nothing, has no value, makes no point, and changes no one's mind but it makes the far left feel good.............soooo................there's always that.
 

Crabtownboy

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
So when the extreme fare left have nothing else the fall back on their trusted accusations i.e. racism, conservatives are stupid, homophobic, etc. It means nothing, has no value, makes no point, and changes no one's mind but it makes the far left feel good.............soooo................there's always that.

Just showing you, Rev, that there are accusations on both sides. Of course if you check to see which parties people with various education levels vote for it might shed some light for you to ponder. But, of course, I know you will not do so.

I posted this link simply because you posted a biased study from a biased source.
 

Happy

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Do Racism, Conservatism, and Low I.Q. Go Hand in Hand?

Author: Goal Auzeen Saedi Ph.D. (education, primarily; Berkley, University of Notre Dame )

Saedi is a clinical (therapy) psychologist (in Oregon) and author who contributes multiply articles to several outlets.

Many of her articles have the same theme....

She Identifies a topic.....airports, teens, conservatives, IQ, working at home, holidays, face-booking, vegans, etc.
Then opines on all the things....wrong with such topics.
Then identifies the results of what she opines is wrong....such as, stress, depression, anxiety, etc.
Then has a remedy for the results she has identified as problematic....ta da....psychological therapy!!

Recognize her method of marketing herself and go make yourself an appointment.
Tell her you require therapy because you have fallen for her psychobabble.
:)

Do Racism, Conservatism, and Low I.Q. Go Hand in Hand?

Gee...I don't know Does they? ROTFL









 

Alcott

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
I looked this up quickly, so I don't know the credibility, but it seems to say what many studies say:

Who you are is more predictive than what you say you believe in!

Here are the big ones: You are more likely to vote Republican (or Democrat in the opposite case):
  1. Race: If you are White, you'd vote Republican (60:40) and if you are non-white you'd vote Democratic (70:30 for Hispanics or Asians, 93:6 for African-Americans)
  2. Age: If you are above 45 you are more likely voting R, below D
  3. Income: If you earn less (<$50K, you are more likely a D (60:40). But, at higher incomes upto $250 (i.e. just about everyone but the top 5%) the differences are less skewed (<10%).
  4. Religious? This is actually one of the best predictors (esp. when combined with Race)! If you attend religious services at least once a week, it is highly likely that you are a Republican.
  5. Where you live: This is a biggie too. If you live in the South or small towns/ rural areas anywhere, you are much more likely to vote Republican.
https://www.quora.com/Does-the-leve...ow-does-each-party-account-for-any-difference
 

InTheLight

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Racism and low I.Q. go hand in hand.

The political persuasion--conservative or liberal--is not correlated.
 

Alcott

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Where do those who chant "Pigs in a blanket-- fry 'em like bacon!" rank in terms of IQ?
 

Happy

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Ever notice IQ tests are standards set by those who are typically "formally" schooled.

Wonder how a "formally" schooled "high IQ" tested person would fair on a "smarty pants test" created by an "informally" taught backwoods hick.... LOL

Just sayin....It's all in prepsecitve. LOL
 

Reynolds

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
However, what struck me most about this image posted above was the Facebook page it came from, “Too Informed to Vote Republican.” I wondered about this, recalling an old journal article I’d come across when studying anti-Islamic attitudes post 9/11. The paper referenced a correlation between conservatism and low intelligence. Uncertain of its origin, I located a thought-provoking article published in one of psychology’s top journals, Psychological Science, which in essence confirms this.

Hodson and Busseri (2012) found in a correlational study that lower intelligence in childhood is predictive of greater racism in adulthood, with this effect being mediated (partially explained) through conservative ideology. They also found poor abstract reasoning skills were related to homophobic attitudes which was mediated through authoritarianism and low levels of intergroup contact.

What this study and those before it suggest is not necessarily that all liberals are geniuses and all conservatives are ignorant. Rather, it makes conclusions based off of averages of groups. The idea is that for those who lack a cognitive ability to grasp complexities of our world, strict-right wing ideologies may be more appealing. Dr. Brian Nosek explained it for the Huffington Post as follows, “ideologies get rid of the messiness and impose a simple solution. So, it may not be surprising that people with less cognitive capacity will be attracted to simplifying ideologies.” For an excellent continuation of this discussion and past studies, please see this article from LiveScience.





Do Racism, Conservatism, and Low I.Q. Go Hand in Hand?
Hank Johnson and Maxine Waters are liberal Democrats; enough said.
 

Alcott

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Whenever any category of people (like a minority group) scored lower as a group on such tests, the charge is always that the tests are "culturally biased." This also goes for certain parts of the country, as most are composed in the northeast.
 

JonC

Moderator
Moderator
However, what struck me most about this image posted above was the Facebook page it came from, “Too Informed to Vote Republican.” I wondered about this, recalling an old journal article I’d come across when studying anti-Islamic attitudes post 9/11. The paper referenced a correlation between conservatism and low intelligence. Uncertain of its origin, I located a thought-provoking article published in one of psychology’s top journals, Psychological Science, which in essence confirms this.

Hodson and Busseri (2012) found in a correlational study that lower intelligence in childhood is predictive of greater racism in adulthood, with this effect being mediated (partially explained) through conservative ideology. They also found poor abstract reasoning skills were related to homophobic attitudes which was mediated through authoritarianism and low levels of intergroup contact.

What this study and those before it suggest is not necessarily that all liberals are geniuses and all conservatives are ignorant. Rather, it makes conclusions based off of averages of groups. The idea is that for those who lack a cognitive ability to grasp complexities of our world, strict-right wing ideologies may be more appealing. Dr. Brian Nosek explained it for the Huffington Post as follows, “ideologies get rid of the messiness and impose a simple solution. So, it may not be surprising that people with less cognitive capacity will be attracted to simplifying ideologies.” For an excellent continuation of this discussion and past studies, please see this article from LiveScience.





Do Racism, Conservatism, and Low I.Q. Go Hand in Hand?
It is an interesting topic. Makes you wonder about the actual population studied and the validity of the tests (as a measure of intelligence); also, perhaps it calls into question what we esteem as intelligence itself. I say this because Science Daily also notes the observations, and sourcing the American Sociological Association study includes a belief in God as an indicator of a lower IQ

I guess what we have to ask our selves is how much faith we place in these studies. Does liberalism and atheism truly serve to mark a people group of higher intellect? Or does the measure of intellect itself have a biased anthropological slant?
 

Reynolds

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
It is an interesting topic. Makes you wonder about the actual population studied and the validity of the tests (as a measure of intelligence); also, perhaps it calls into question what we esteem as intelligence itself. I say this because Science Daily also notes the observations, and sourcing the American Sociological Association study includes a belief in God as an indicator of a lower IQ

I guess what we have to ask our selves is how much faith we place in these studies. Does liberalism and atheism truly serve to mark a people group of higher intellect? Or does the measure of intellect itself have a biased anthropological slant?
It has been my, non scientific, personal observation, that extremely intelligent people are either extremely liberal or extremely conservative.
 

Crabtownboy

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
It is an interesting topic. Makes you wonder about the actual population studied and the validity of the tests (as a measure of intelligence); also, perhaps it calls into question what we esteem as intelligence itself. I say this because Science Daily also notes the observations, and sourcing the American Sociological Association study includes a belief in God as an indicator of a lower

I believe part of the problem about intelligence and religion is that for many what is taught in many churches simply does not make sense. Part of this is too many churches do not want their members thinking. They want followers, not thinkers. An intelligent person, whether highly educated or not, is not going to go to a church that preaches and teaches what they see as simple-minded and ignorant. Too many pastors and church members do not appreciate or welcome people who do not necessarily find rational. Also, many will avoid churches that mix politics with religion. Also many intelligent people will abandon the church if they find the pastor arrogant. uninformed and dictatorial. Simply uninformed or simply arrogant will turn many away.

Here are five reasons people have stopped going to church:


  1. The Church Is Irrelevant, The Leaders Are Hypocritical And Leaders Have Experienced Too Much Moral Failure
  2. God Is Missing In The Church.
  3. Legitimate Doubt Is Prohibited
  4. They’re Not Learning About God
  5. They’re Not Finding Community
5 Reasons People Have Stopped Attending Your Church (Especially Millennials) - Carey Nieuwhof



When you mix politics with religion God is missing. When you mix politics with church politics does not become clean but the church becomes dirty. When you mix politics with religion you cannot learn about God. When you demand lock-step following and an us and them attitude there is no community. [/QUOTE]
 
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JonC

Moderator
Moderator
I believe part of the problem about intelligence and religion is that for many what is taught in many churches simply does not make sense. Part of this is too many churches do not want their members thinking. They want followers, not thinkers. An intelligent person, whether highly educated or not, is not going to go to a church that preaches and teaches what they see as simple-minded and ignorant. Too many pastors and church members do not appreciate or welcome people who do not necessarily find rational. Also, many will avoid churches that mix politics with religion. Also many intelligent people will abandon the church if they find the pastor arrogant. uninformed and dictatorial. Simply uninformed or simply arrogant will turn many away.

Here are five reasons people have stopped going to church:


  1. The Church Is Irrelevant, The Leaders Are Hypocritical And Leaders Have Experienced Too Much Moral Failure
  2. God Is Missing In The Church.
  3. Legitimate Doubt Is Prohibited
  4. They’re Not Learning About God
  5. They’re Not Finding Community
5 Reasons People Have Stopped Attending Your Church (Especially Millennials) - Carey Nieuwhof



When you mix politics with religion God is missing. When you mix politics with church politics does not become clean but the church becomes dirty. When you mix politics with religion you cannot learn about God. When you demand lock-step following and an us and them attitude there is no community.
I agree that sometimes churches teach things that do not make sense. But let’s face it - some of the things that fall into this category include a virgin giving birth, God becoming man, dead people coming alive, ect. The problem is not teaching things that don’t make sense but teachers who ignore that these difficulties exist and gloss over legitimate questions and concerns people may have.

The reason, I believe, can be narrowed down to a more basic reason that people look to the church for purposes other than what God has intended the church to be. They look for fulfillment now as opposed to the early church view of sacrifice, they look for a god they can add to their lives rather than a God who demands their all, they look for others to feed their doubt, they are more interested in learning about themselves than about God, and they go to church looking for community rather than functioning within a church body.
 

Alcott

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Site Supporter
"Finding community" has become the chief reason IMO younger people (and some older) just won't come. Last year we had a Singles' Dept. for all ages, which was the residual of successful singles' departments we had for years in our church. A brand new couple came and 'took over' as director and teacher, and they did try to 'conform the class to their own image.' But everything they did was alright (I thought), even though they run a business which kept them away nearly 1/3 of the time. I became the second teacher and we had someone to be associate director, so we were still going on with about 12-15 in attendance each week-- which is considerably less than our 'peak' for singles at 50 or more years ago.

But I always did think this group was older than this leadership couple had thought it would be-- about 2/3 were more than 35, and 6 or more were over over 50. Only 4 or 5 were less than 30, and that included a couple planning to get married which didn't show up very often. We had the usual summer dropoff, and still about 8-10 came weekly. 2 in the 50's had met in the class and started dating, but they broke up and neither of them came any longer; indicating their purpose in coming didn't work out after all.

The "associate director" was made Director in July because the leadership couple being away so often, and she asked what the class wanted to do in the way of activities. I suggested a "day at the lake," to a baptist camp we had been to several times before, but not recently. So she let me make the arrangements-- reserving the sight and pavilion for the second Saturday in September. But just after this, the couple announced,quite abruptly and surprisingly, that they were not going to continue with our group, making it apparent why they named the new Director, unknown even to her at that time. And because some had expressed concern about the schedule-- we met at 9 a.m. instead of the later time, 10:30-- it was decided to place our class in a different room at 10:30. I was named the teacher, per se, at least temporarily while a 'permanent' one was still being sought-- I knew I would end up being the permanent one, but it didn't take long for me to get back into weekly teaching after several years, so that was alright. But once we changed rooms and started meeting at 10:30, it was all down from there. A couple of the regulars came for a few weeks, as we had about 6 or 7 on the average, but then they dropped out, one to a another class and the other to another church, because of our low numbers, to which they contributed. Things never improved-- but an effort did get those 'younger' folks to come once, and they didn't come again-- and a married couple that was coming as a stayover from singles, stopped coming, which left us to no more than 3 for the last month. So at the end of January our class was, by our decision, "suspended."

I've thought about this and one conclusion of mine is that as long as the high tech means (such as branching out one's phone contact list) keep people in contact, and there are dating sites and all that on the web, young people (and older, perhaps) are going to get all the "community" they want outside of their own little peer group. That makes coming to church Bible study something they don't have to put up with 'find someone,' when those sites have all the info about the person to be read. [This, of course, is disregarding the fact that many misrepresent themselves on such sites, but that can be the case in church, too (right?).]

Okay, this turned into a filibuster, but I'm sure this is one significant aspect of why people come and don't come.
 
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Happy

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter

Here are five reasons people have stopped going to church:


  1. The Church Is Irrelevant, The Leaders Are Hypocritical And Leaders Have Experienced Too Much Moral Failure
  2. God Is Missing In The Church.
  3. Legitimate Doubt Is Prohibited
  4. They’re Not Learning About God
  5. They’re Not Finding Community
5 Reasons People Have Stopped Attending Your Church (Especially Millennials) - Carey Nieuwhof

"If you have to add more reasons, what would you add?"

IMO ~

6.a; Many people go to church to be in a state of "feeling good" by the time the service ends.
6.b; Many Pastors seemingly try to structure their Sermons with the goal of their congregates to "feel good" by, focusing on the People.

I believe anytime a person is "in" Church, the purpose is to learn about God, and PRAISE and WORSHIP God; and THAT should be the reason why people are uplifted.

7.a: The Fashion Show "in the Church".
7.b: Appropriate dress and behavior and purpose seems to be "untaught" or "ignored" and "not stressed".

8.a: The "Entertainment" in the Church.
8.b: Again relating to "making the people" feel good.

9.a: The Half Truth in every Preachers "one-liner" of come on down to the "alter call".

Rom 10:
[9] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

9.b: Is ^ a Half Truth? The Words are Truth. However IF a person does not UNDERSTAND what those WORDS MEAN,
by the conveyance of those words, how can they TRULY pledge a commitment to those words?

10.a: The Church ~ A building VS The Church is the Christ.
10.b: The Church Building - IS the PLACE for teaching KNOWLEDGE "about" Christ.
10.c: Christ the Lord Jesus - IS the Power and Wisdom that gives a person the TRUE UNDERSTANDING of the Knowledge

11.a: Behavior IN a Church Building has become acceptably complacent.
11.b: Behavior IN a person, WHO is "supposedly" a member of the Body of Christ (The Church always within us) whether IN a "Church" Building or not, has become acceptably complacent.
 
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