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<p>An excellent point. I waited for a long time to hear this on CC.</p>
<p>One of the most influential studies for me in recent years is this one:</p>
<p>[Ideology</a>, Motivated Reasoning, and Cognitive Reflection: An Experimental Study by Dan Kahan :: SSRN](<a href=“http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2182588]Ideology”>http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2182588)</p>
<p>My takeaways from the abstract are the following:</p>
<p>1)both liberal and conservatives demonstrated the same unconscious tendency to fit assessments of empirical evidence to their ideological predispositions.</p>
<p>2)subjects who scored highest in cognitive reflection were the most likely to display ideologically motivated cognition.</p>
<p>3)motivated cognition is a form of information processing that rationally promotes individuals interests in forming and maintaining beliefs that signify their loyalty to important affinity groups.</p>
<p>In CC and elsewhere, the strongest affinity group for most people is race/ethnicity; I simply cannot explain some of the behaviours any other way.</p>
<p>Do continue.</p>