Partisanship

This is why I worry about global warming becoming a partisan issue:

… researchers recently plopped 10 Republicans and 10 Democrats into scanners that measure changes in brain-blood oxygenation. Such changes are thought to be linked to increases or decreases in particular areas of brain activity.

Grist relies on the support of generous readers like you to cover the stories that matter most. Thank you for donating.

• One Time
• Monthly

• $120
• $180
• Other
• Donate

• $10
• $15
• Other
• Donate

Secure · Tax deductible · Takes 45 Seconds

Did this article feel meaningful?

Make others like it possible: Give now in under 45 seconds.

• One Time 💚
• Monthly

• $120
• $180 💚
• Other
• Donate

• $10
• $15 💚
• Other
• Donate

Secure · Tax deductible · Takes 45 Seconds

Each of the partisans was repeatedly shown images of President Bush and 2004 Democratic challenger John F. Kerry.

…

To support our nonprofit environmental journalism, please consider disabling your ad-blocker to allow ads on Grist. Here's How

Turns out, rather than turning down their negative feelings … partisans turn up their negative emotional response when they see a photo of the opposing candidate …

In other words, without knowing it themselves, the partisans were jealously guarding against anything that might lower their antagonism. Turning up negative feelings, of course, is a good way to make sure your antagonism stays strong and healthy.