As a person who has immediate family members with diametrically opposing views on politics, I struggle to understand how we could possibly be having such different reactions to the events unfolding in our country. I do my best to focus on our warm and fuzzy familial connections, rather than our differences, and this allows me to avoid the arguments and conflict that drive more polarization. But this is challenging. And heartbreaking at times. More than ever, we need to become mindful of what's unfolding around us and have tools to navigate the stresses this creates in our relationships with loved ones.
Whether it’s around the dinner table or online, we’re often left wondering—how can people see the same world so differently? As a neuroscientist, sex therapist and psychotherapist, I find it fascinating (and alarming) how polarized our political landscape has become.
But here’s the good news: Neuroscience is giving us real insights into why our political beliefs feel so deeply ingrained—and they might just start with the oldest parts of our brains.
Please select this link to read the complete article from Psychology Today.