On 9 Feb 2011 at 8:06, Rick Froman wrote: > This is all very interesting but I think the critical word in the > statement is "choose" not "ideology". Change in ideology over a > lifetime (whether described in a series of anecdotes or systematically > collected data) says nothing about whether those changes are > determined or chosen. Science cannot provide any evidence for the fact > that anyone chooses anything (which is not the same as saying that > choice is impossible). The only possible observable and testable > causes of all behaviors are biological/genetic (sometimes known as > "nature") and environment (sometimes known as "nurture") and the > interactions between them. Neither nature or nurture is chosen and > choice as a cause of behavior is not a testable scientific hypothesis.
I'm not sure I follow all of this, but a testable question which can be asked is the extent to which variation in political attitudes is genetically-determined. Some results based on twin data: Alford, J. et al (2005). Are Political Orientations Genetically Transmitted? American Political Science Review Vol. 99, p. 153-- http://www.apsanet.org/imgtest/GeneticsAPSR0505.pdf The answer to their question seems to be "yes". In particular, they give a heritability estimate of 53%, with non-shared (unique) evironment contributing 36%, and shared (i.e. upbringing and such) a measly 11% (see p, 162). That's for "ideology", not party affiliation, note bene. A readable report is here: http://tinyurl.com/46jycs2 Stephen -------------------------------------------- Stephen L. Black, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology, Emeritus Bishop's University Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada e-mail: sblack at ubishops.ca --------------------------------------------- --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=8638 or send a blank email to leave-8638-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
