Health
Ideology May Not Be What You Think but How You’re Wired
So sharp are partisan divisions these days that it can seem as if people are experiencing entirely different realities. Maybe they actually are, according to Leor Zmigrod, a neuroscientist and political psychologist at Cambridge University. In a new book, “The Ideological Brain: The Radical Science of Flexible Thinking,” Dr. Zmigrod explores the emerging evidence that brain physiology and biology help explain not just why people are prone to ideology but how they perceive and share information.
This conversation has been edited for clarity and brevity.
What is ideology?
It’s a narrative about how the world works and how it should work. This potentially could be the social world or the natural world. But it’s not just a story: It has really rigid prescriptions for how we should think, how we should act, how we should interact with other people. An ideology condemns any deviation from its prescribed rules.
You write that rigid thinking can be tempting. Why is that?
Ideologies satisfy the need to try to understand the world, to explain it. And they satisfy our need for connection, for community, for just a sense that we belong to something.
There’s also a resource question. Exploring the world is really cognitively expensive, and just exploiting known patterns and rules can seem to be the most efficient strategy. Also, many people argue — and many ideologies will try to tell you — that adhering to rules is the only good way to live and to live morally.
I actually come at it from a different perspective: Ideologies numb our direct experience of the world. They narrow our capacity to adapt to the world, to understand evidence, to distinguish between credible evidence and not credible evidence. Ideologies are rarely, if ever, good.
Q: In the book, you describe research showing that ideological thinkers can be less reliable narrators. Can you explain?
Remarkably, we can observe this effect in children. In the 1940s, Else Frenkel-Brunswik, a psychologist at the University of California, Berkeley, interviewed hundreds of children and tested their levels of prejudice and authoritarianism, like whether they championed conformity and obedience or play and imagination. When children were told a story about new pupils at a fictional school and asked to recount the story later, there were significant differences in what the most prejudiced children remembered, as opposed to the most liberal children.
Liberal children tended to recall more accurately the ratio of desirable and undesirable traits in the characters of the story; their memories possessed greater fidelity to the story as it was originally told. In contrast, children who scored highly on prejudice strayed from the story; they highlighted or invented undesirable traits for the characters from ethnic minority backgrounds.
So, the memories of the most ideologically-minded children incorporated fictions that confirmed their pre-existing biases. At the same time, there was also a tendency to occasionally parrot single phrases and details, rigidly mimicking the storyteller.
So by “liberal” you mean flexible in thought rather than politically liberal, yes?
Right. The work with children is about prejudice rather than conservatism. Ideologues are strong partisans either to the left or right. Psychological rigidity is linked to ideological extremity regardless of the mission of the ideology.
Are people who are prone to ideology taking in less information? Are they processing it differently?
The people most prone to ideological thinking tend to resist change or nuance of any kind. We can test this with visual and linguistic puzzles. For instance, in one test, we ask them to sort playing cards by various rules, like suit or color. But suddenly they apply the rule and it doesn’t work. That’s because, unbeknownst to them, we changed the rule.
The people who tend to resist ideological thinking are adaptable, and so when there’s evidence the rules have changed, they change their behavior. Ideological thinkers, when they encounter the change, they resist it. They try to apply the old rule even though it doesn’t work anymore.
In one study you conducted, you found that ideologues and nonideologues appear to have fundamental differences in their brains’ reward circuitry. Can you describe your findings?
In my experiments I’ve found that the most rigid thinkers have genetic dispositions related to how dopamine is distributed in their brains.
Rigid thinkers tend to have lower levels of dopamine in their prefrontal cortex and higher levels of dopamine in their striatum, a key midbrain structure in our reward system that controls our rapid instincts. So our psychological vulnerabilities to rigid ideologies may be grounded in biological differences.
In fact, we find that people with different ideologies have differences in the physical structure and function of their brains. This is especially pronounced in brain networks responsible for reward, emotion processing, and monitoring when we make errors.
For instance, the size of our amygdala — the almond-shaped structure that governs the processing of emotions, especially negatively tinged emotions such as fear, anger, disgust, danger and threat — is linked to whether we hold more conservative ideologies that justify traditions and the status quo.
What do you make of this?
Some scientists have interpreted these findings as reflecting a natural affinity between the function of the amygdala and the function of conservative ideologies. Both revolve around vigilant reactions to threats and the fear of being overpowered.
But why is the amygdala larger in conservatives? Do people with a larger amygdala gravitate toward more conservative ideologies because their amygdala is already structured in a way that is more receptive to the negative emotions that conservatism elicits? Or can immersion in a certain ideology alter our emotional biochemistry in a way that leads to structural brain changes?
The ambiguity around these results reflects a chicken-and-egg problem: Do our brains determine our politics, or can ideologies change our brains?
If we’re wired a certain way, can we change?
You have agency to choose how passionately you adopt these ideologies or what you reject or what you don’t.
I think we all can shift in terms of our flexibility. It’s obviously harder for people who have genetic or biological vulnerabilities toward rigid thinking, but that doesn’t mean that it’s predetermined or impossible to change.
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Aging can’t be stopped, but a daily pill could slow it down, according to new research led by Mass General Brigham in Boston.
Among people who took a multivitamin every day for two years, biological aging slowed down by about four months, found the study, which was published in Nature Medicine.
Biological aging refers to the pace of aging on a cellular level, which is often different from chronological age.
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The findings came from a large randomized clinical trial of nearly 1,000 healthy older adults averaging 70 years of age. The participants were divided into four groups — one took a daily multivitamin-multimineral supplement along with a cocoa extract, one took a daily cocoa extract and placebo, one took a placebo and multivitamin, and one took just a placebo, according to the study press release.
Among people who took a multivitamin every day for two years, biological aging slowed down by about four months. (iStock)
The researchers analyzed blood samples taken from the participants at three points during the study, looking at five biomarkers known as “epigenetic clocks” that measure age-related changes to DNA.
“Aging at the cellular level can be marked by DNA methylation, where in some cells it decreases and in some it increases,” Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, told Fox News Digital. “This is also described as epigenetic changes – or DNA expression.”
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Those who took multivitamins showed a biological aging slowdown across all biomarkers, including the two that are linked to longevity.
The biggest benefit was seen in those who already had a biological age that was older than their chronological age, the researchers found.
Those who took multivitamins showed a biological aging slowdown across all biomarkers, including the two that are linked to longevity. (iStock)
“There is a lot of interest today in identifying ways to not just live longer, but to live better,” said senior author Howard Sesso, associate director of the Division of Preventive Medicine in the Mass General Brigham Department of Medicine, in the press release.
“It was exciting to see the benefits of a multivitamin linked with markers of biological aging. This study opens the door to learning more about accessible, safe interventions that contribute to healthier, higher-quality aging.”
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Siegel, who was not involved in the study, described the results as “scientific and significant,” agreeing that they should be studied further.
It’s not clear which part of the multivitamin might be responsible for the aging slowdown, the doctor noted.
“There is a lot of interest today in identifying ways to not just live longer, but to live better.”
“There are so many possibilities, from biotin to calcium to zinc to vitamin B, C or D … to niacin and to metals like magnesium and copper,” he told Fox News Digital. “I am personally a believer in riboflavin, thiamine and vitamin D, but further research is needed to parse this out and determine a cause-effect relationship.”
There were some limitations of the research, including that the aging effects were small, and it’s not yet known how they might affect actual medical outcomes.
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The study population was also limited to mostly older ages and those of European ancestry, which could mean it wouldn’t be generalized to larger groups.
The research also did not explore the relationship between epigenetic clock changes and actual health outcomes, such as lower disease risk or greater lifespan.
Additional studies will also look at other potential benefits of daily multivitamins, such as cognitive function and reduced cancer risk. (iStock)
The researchers are now planning follow-up research to explore whether the slowdown of biological aging continued after the trial, as well as the impact these improvements may have on clinical outcomes.
Additional studies will also look at other potential benefits of daily multivitamins, such as cognitive function and reduced cancer risk.
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“A lot of people take a multivitamin without necessarily knowing any benefits from taking it, so the more we can learn about its potential health benefits, the better,” said Sesso. “We are fortunate and excited to build upon a rich resource of biomarker data to test how two interventions may improve biological aging and reduce age-related clinical outcomes.”
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The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health.
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Colorectal cancer (CRC) is now the leading cause of cancer death in adults under 50 and the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., highlighting the importance of routine screenings.
Adults 65 and younger comprise nearly half (45%) of all new cases — a significant increase from 27% in 1995, according to a report from the American Cancer Society.
“Once considered a disease that primarily affected people over 50, we are now seeing increasing diagnoses in patients in their 20s, 30s and 40s — making it even more important not to dismiss symptoms based on age alone,” Dr. Timothy Cannon, director of the Molecular Tumor Board and co-director of the Gastrointestinal Cancer Program at Inova in Virginia, told Fox News Digital.
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Official health agencies recommend that CRC screenings start at age 45 and continue through age 75 for adults at “average risk.”
Stool-based tests can be used to detect blood or DNA changes, potential indicators of cancer. Depending on the type of stool test, it can be performed every one to three years.
Colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death in adults under 50 and the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. (iStock)
A colonoscopy is a medical procedure that allows a doctor to examine the inside of the patient’s colon and rectum using a thin, flexible tube with a camera on the end. For average-risk adults, a colonoscopy is typically done every 10 years.
“Colonoscopy remains the gold standard because it not only detects cancer early, but can also prevent it by identifying and removing precancerous polyps,” Cannon said.
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Dr. Michael Martin, a California physician, emphasized that colonoscopy is generally preferred for younger patients who are clearly at higher risk.
“Stool-based tests are appropriate screening options for average-risk adults, but they are not the best choice for people with significant family history, inflammatory bowel disease, hereditary syndromes or alarm symptoms,” he told Fox News Digital. “If symptoms are present, the goal is not screening but diagnosis, and colonoscopy is usually the more appropriate test.”
3 reasons to get screened before 45
Doctors may suggest earlier screenings for people who fall into the following higher-risk groups.
Strong family history
“A family history can make screening earlier and more frequent,” Martin told Fox News Digital.
The American College of Gastroenterology recommends early screening if one first-degree relative is diagnosed with colorectal cancer or an advanced polyp before age 60, or if two first-degree relatives are diagnosed at any age.
A colonoscopy is a medical procedure that allows a doctor to examine the inside of the patient’s colon and rectum using a thin, flexible tube with a camera on the end. (iStock)
“They should generally start colonoscopy at age 40 or 10 years before the youngest affected relative’s diagnosis, whichever comes first,” Martin said. “In that setting, repeat the colonoscopy every five years is then generally recommended.”
Critical symptoms
Cannon listed the following red flags that warrant earlier screenings.
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- Rectal bleeding with bright-red blood
- Dark or black stools
- Blood in the stool
- Persistent changes in bowel habits, such as new constipation or diarrhea
- Unexplained iron-deficiency anemia
- Ongoing abdominal pain or cramping
- Unexplained weight loss
- Persistent sensation that the bowel is not emptying fully
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“While many of these symptoms can be caused by less serious conditions, they should never be ignored,” he said.
Ongoing abdominal pain or cramping is one warning sign that could warrant earlier screenings. (iStock)
Rectal bleeding in particular should always be taken seriously, even in younger patients, Cannon said.
“Too often, symptoms are attributed to hemorrhoids, diet, stress or athletic activity without further evaluation,” he noted. “Any persistent or unexplained bleeding warrants a conversation with a physician, and in some cases, a colonoscopy.”
“If something feels new, persistent, or concerning, don’t wait. Early evaluation can save your life.”
Certain genetic conditions
Some common hereditary syndromes increase the risk of colorectal cancer and may warrant earlier screenings.
For example, people with Lynch syndrome — an inherited DNA mutation that greatly increases lifetime risk — should get a colonoscopy every one to two years starting at about 20–25 years old or two to five years before the youngest diagnosed family case, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP), another genetic variant, carries the risk of thousands of polyps and a nearly 100% lifetime risk of CRC, noted the American Cancer Society. Those with FAP are advised to start annual screenings at as early as 10 to 12 years old.
Several other syndromes and genetic variations — including Peutz–Jeghers Syndrome, Juvenile Polyposis Syndrome and MUTYH-Associated Polyposis (MAP) — can also warrant earlier screenings.
Inflammatory bowel disease
Those with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, face a higher lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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This is largely due to chronic inflammation that causes cellular changes. In this case, the patient may be advised to start colonoscopy screenings before age 45.
If someone falls into a category that warrants an early screening before 45, and then the screening is normal, the length of time until the next one will depend on the specific risk factors, according to Martin.
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“If it was performed because of a strong family history, repeating it every five years is common,” he advised. “If the person turns out not to have colon cancer (or an advanced polyp) and is closer to average risk than to high risk, the interval may be longer.”
In many cases, early screenings will be covered by insurance, Martin said, but coverage rules can differ depending on whether the exam is classified as screening or diagnostic.
Those with inflammatory bowel disease, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, face a higher lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer. (iStock)
“Under federal law, recommended screening tests for average-risk patients are generally covered without cost-sharing, but a colonoscopy done because of symptoms is often considered diagnostic, as mentioned above,” he noted. “This can have an impact on deductibles or co-pays. The exact out-of-pocket cost varies by insurer and plan.”
The encouraging news is that colorectal cancer is often preventable, Cannon emphasized.
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“Most cancers develop slowly from precancerous polyps over many years,” he said. “Screening allows physicians to detect and remove these polyps before they turn into cancer.”
“The key message: If something feels new, persistent, or concerning, don’t wait. Early evaluation can save your life.”
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Aging is often depicted as a steady decline, but new research suggests that many older adults actually improve over time.
Using more than a decade of data from a large, representative study of older Americans, Yale University researchers found that nearly half of adults 65 and older showed improvement in cognitive function, physical function or both.
The improvements were consistent across the study population, and were linked to the participants’ mindset about aging, according to a press release.
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“In contrast to a predominant belief or stereotype that age is a time of continuous and inevitable decline, we found evidence that a meaningful number of older persons actually show improvement over 12 years in cognitive and/or physical health,” lead author Becca Levy, a professor of social and behavioral sciences at Yale, told Fox News Digital.
The research, which was published in the journal Geriatrics, relied on data from the Health and Retirement Study, a federally supported, long-running survey of older Americans.
The results were consistent across the study population, rather than being limited to a small group of high performers. (iStock)
Researchers tracked changes in cognition using global performance tests and measured physical function based on walking speed, which was seen as a “vital sign” because of its strong links to disability, hospitalization and mortality.
Over a 12-year period, 45% of participants improved either mentally or physically. About 32% showed cognitive gains, while 28% improved physically, according to the study.
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“If you average everyone together, you see decline,” Levy said. “But when you look at individual trajectories, you uncover a very different story. A meaningful percentage of the older participants … got better.”
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A participant’s beliefs about aging appeared to influence the results, as those with more positive age beliefs were significantly more likely to show improvements in both cognition and walking speed.
Over a 12-year period, 45% of participants improved either mentally or physically, researchers found. (iStock)
This remained true even after accounting for factors such as age, sex, education, chronic disease, depression and the length of follow-up. Improvements were seen even among participants who started with “normal” levels of function, not just those recovering from injuries or illness.
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“Individuals who have taken in more positive age beliefs … tend to have a lower stress response and lower stress biomarkers,” Levy said. Because age beliefs are modifiable, she noted, there could be a capacity for improvements later in life.
The study did have some limitations, the researchers acknowledged. It didn’t look at how muscles or brain cells change and adapt, which could help explain why people improved.
“Individuals who have taken in more positive age beliefs … tend to have a lower stress response and lower stress biomarkers,” the researcher said. (iStock)
Future studies should examine improvement patterns for other types of cognition, such as spatial memory, they added.
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“In addition, although our participants were drawn from a nationally representative sample, it would be useful to examine patterns of improvement in additional cohorts that have a greater representation of different ethnic minority groups,” the researchers noted in the study.
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The authors said they hope the findings will debunk the myth that continuous physical and cognitive decline is inevitable.
“We found evidence that there could be psychological pathways, behavioral pathways and physiological pathways [by which age beliefs impact health],” said Levy. “It’s common, and it should be included in our understanding of the aging process.”
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