A Methodology Critique in Defense of Those Wascally Wepublicans

conservative-bashing-research

It’s a long one this week, but oh-so worth it. You may have heard the news that conservatives are crazy. The February 2007 issue of Psychology Today offered a watered-down, uncritical account of a 2003 research paper asserting that conservatives are dogmatic, closed-minded, and less complex than liberals – and that’s the tame version.

As you might expect from a study that maligns millions of people, this one is overflowing with methodological problems, and that’s the topic this week. If you believe that vitriol masquerading as research is acceptable because it fits with your politics, I beg you to reconsider. They may be “researching” you next.

(Part 1 of 3) More