How your brain is telling you to vote

By Michael Oberschneider, Psy.D.

As another presidential election approaches, political conversations seem to be everywhere. These discussions can quickly become heated, often leading to frustration, misunderstandings, and, strained or even terminated relationships.  

But what if the way we vote is influenced more by the biology of our brains than by our rational, conscious thoughts? What if our political beliefs are, to some extent, preordained by our genetics and brain structure? 

Research in neuroscience and psychology suggests that this might be truer than we think. That whether we vote red or blue, our grey matter matters a lot.

We know that the human brain is an intricate, powerful organ that governs almost every aspect of our lives, from our daily routines to our deepest beliefs and convictions. It’s no surprise that the brain also plays a significant role in shaping our political beliefs and voting behaviors.  Evidence using Functional MRI (fMRI) appears to support that position. 

By observing the brain’s activity with brain imaging technology, scientists have been able to identify key differences in how conservatives and liberals process political information.  

Studies using brain imaging have shown that conservatives tend to have a more active amygdala, a region of the brain that is heavily involved in processing fear, threat detection, and emotional responses. 

This heightened activity might explain why conservative individuals are often more focused on security, stability, law and order, and tradition over rapid change. They might be more sensitive to perceived threats and therefore more inclined to support policies that emphasize order and control. For these voters, Former President Donald Trump’s “Make a America Great Again” slogan may encapsulate a vision of the US that prioritizes traditional family values, a stronger or closed Mexico border, a more thriving economy and religious values and morals.

Liberals often show greater activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), a region associated with processing complexity, uncertainty, and conflicting information. This area of the brain is crucial for tasks that require cognitive flexibility and openness to new experiences. 

As a result, liberals might be more comfortable with change and more likely to support policies that promote social progress and innovation. They might also be better equipped to handle ambiguity and to reconcile conflicting ideas.  For liberal voters, then Former President Barak Obama’s “Hope and Change” slogan is fitting.

These brain-based differences are not just theoretical; they manifest in how people respond to real-world political issues. For instance, when confronted with a topic like immigration or national security, conservatives might experience a stronger emotional reaction that leads them to prioritize safety and control. Liberals might approach the same issue with a focus on empathy, inclusiveness, and long-term social benefits.  

On the topic of the Mexico/Us border, a conservative person might think, “Over 10,000 aliens are crossing into the US from Mexico illegally daily. “That’s unsustainable, and that will lead to increased crime, fewer job opportunities for taxpaying US citizens and a weaker economy via more free government handouts.”  

A more liberally minded person might think, “Well where are all of those desperate people who are fleeing their countries from persecution and violence going to go?” Or, “Taking them in is the right and the American thing to do.”  

For the former group, the focus is on keeping “illegal aliens” out, and for the latter group, it’s more about understanding the problem to empathically support “undocumented immigrants” toward US citizenship.  

Recognizing these very differing neurological underpinnings can help explain why political debates on topics like the border often seem so intractable and combative—our brains are literally wired to see the world differently.

While the brain’s structure and function play a crucial role in shaping our political beliefs, another factor comes into play—genetics. It might seem strange to think that something as complex as voting behavior could be influenced by our DNA. 

One of the most compelling pieces of evidence comes from studies of twins, particularly identical twins. Identical twins share nearly 100% of their genetic material, while fraternal twins share about 50%, similar to any other siblings. By comparing the political attitudes and voting behaviors of these two groups, researchers have been able to estimate the extent to which genetics influence political beliefs.

The results of these studies are striking. Identical twins are significantly more likely to share similar political views compared to fraternal twins, suggesting that genetics plays a substantial role in shaping our political leanings. 

Some studies estimate that about 40-50% of the variation in political attitudes can be attributed to genetic factors. This doesn’t mean that there is a specific “voting gene” that determines how we vote. Rather that genetic predispositions can influence how we interpret and respond to political information.

Genes related to personality traits such as openness to experience, conscientiousness, and agreeableness have been linked to political orientations. Individuals who are genetically predisposed to be more open to new experiences might be more likely to adopt liberal viewpoints, while those who are naturally more conscientious and risk-averse might gravitate toward conservative ideologies. These genetic influences interact with environmental factors, such as family upbringing, to shape our overall political identity.

So, what does all this brain science mean? Perhaps it means we might do well to have more empathy, patience, understanding and less judgement, for those we disagree with. 

The next time you catch yourself thinking about Former President Donald Trump as a being a “Dictator” or Vice President Kamela Harris as being a “Marxist,” or the next time you find yourself in a heated political debate, remember:  it’s not about winning the argument or being right. It’s much more important for us all to kindly appreciate the complexities that contribute to our different political opinions and what we individually believe in.  

Michael Oberschneider, Psy.D.“Dr. Mike” is a clinical psychologist in private practice. He can be reached at 703-723-2999, and is located at 44095 Pipeline Plaza, Suite 240, Ashburn.