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Patterns and sources of the association between intelligence, party identification, and political orientations

Author

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  • Bell, Edward
  • Dawes, Christopher T.
  • Weinschenk, Aaron
  • Riemann, Rainer
  • Kandler, Christian

Abstract

We examined the association between intelligence, party identification, and political orientations using genetically informative data gathered from German twins and their families (n = 9553 individuals including 1524 adolescent and young-adult twin pairs). The results indicated that supporters of the Pirate Party and the Green Party had levels of intelligence that were significantly higher than those of other party identifiers, with the exception of individuals who preferred the Free Democrats. These findings were remarkably similar to results based on British research participants that were reported in a previous study. We also observed a significant, albeit modest, negative correlation between intelligence and political conservatism, and our data indicated that this correlation could be accounted for by common genetic influences on those two variables. The findings of the study were interpreted in light of competing theories on the nature of the relationship between intelligence, party identification, and political orientations.

Suggested Citation

  • Bell, Edward & Dawes, Christopher T. & Weinschenk, Aaron & Riemann, Rainer & Kandler, Christian, 2020. "Patterns and sources of the association between intelligence, party identification, and political orientations," Intelligence, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:intell:v:81:y:2020:i:c:s0160289620300350
    DOI: 10.1016/j.intell.2020.101457
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Johanna Mollerstrom & David Seim, 2014. "Cognitive Ability and the Demand for Redistribution," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(10), pages 1-7, October.
    2. Lewis, Gary J. & Bates, Timothy C., 2018. "Higher levels of childhood intelligence predict increased support for economic conservatism in adulthood," Intelligence, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 36-41.
    3. Carl, Noah, 2018. "IQ and political attitudes across British regions and local authorities," Intelligence, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 169-175.
    4. Ludeke, Steven G. & Rasmussen, Stig H.R., 2018. "Different political systems suppress or facilitate the impact of intelligence on how you vote: A comparison of the U.S. and Denmark," Intelligence, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 1-6.
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