Politics

Study: Liberal Leftists May Literally Lean Left

New research by two Princeton scientists shows that describing Democrats as “leftists” might not be that far from the truth.

Researchers used two different experiments, including one involving a special chair, to reach their conclusion. In the chair experiment, Daniel Oppenheimer and Thomas Trail found that those who lean to their left while seated agreed with Democrats more than those who sat leaning to the right. The first experiment using a hand gripper yielded similar results.

According to an article in the Economist, at least one of the researchers, then, believes that elections are controlled by non-political factors:

According to Dr Oppenheimer, however, these findings add to the body of literature which indicates that voter behaviour is irrational and that factors totally unrelated to politics affect the outcomes of elections.

Just as CNN introduced the election-day hologram in 2008, maybe we can expect a “chair cam” this November. Either way, should you find that you are a left-leaning sitter and want to prevent a subliminal take-over in the voting booth, there is one thing you can do:

H/T: Gawker

Comments (55)

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  • Harod
    Posted on September 23, 2010 at 4:20pm

    I call them leftist meaning their goal is to change the economic system, thats their only morality.

    Report Post »  
  • Immyfathersservant
    Posted on September 23, 2010 at 4:08pm

    They lean left, because they’re missing half their brain. I lean right, bacause the people to my left are blowing alot of hot air and their breath stinks.

    Report Post » Immyfathersservant  
  • Beetle1971
    Posted on September 23, 2010 at 3:59pm

    Does any one else get the idea that there‘s a reason they’re trying to prove that voters are not politically motivated? If we’re to dumb to make decisions about health care or nutrition are we to dumb to vote?

    Report Post »  
  • shofar
    Posted on September 23, 2010 at 3:42pm

    Ecclesiastes 10:2 (New International Version)

    2 The heart of the wise inclines to the right,
    but the heart of the fool to the left.

    Report Post » shofar  
  • KeithOlberdink
    Posted on September 23, 2010 at 3:20pm

    Now if we can just get all those liberals to stand next to a cliff….

    Report Post » KeithOlberdink  
  • chainj
    Posted on September 23, 2010 at 3:18pm

    While reading this, I noticed how I was leaning…I was leaning left. I am very much a conservative and don’t have anything in common ideologically with those who are on the left politically. So I thought this was interesting, then I realized why I “lean left” while sitting…I am right handed and I put weight on my left hand or arm or elbow so I can free up my right hand to grab things, write, scratch my noes, etc.
    This study was such a joke!

    Report Post »  
  • HUGGINGMYBABIES
    Posted on September 23, 2010 at 3:05pm

    JUST for that I’m pulling the lever with my RIGHT hand come November 2nd!!!

    Report Post » HUGGINGMYBABIES  
  • Windsong
    Posted on September 23, 2010 at 3:04pm

    The ‘leftists’ never cease to amaze me. This is rather like the sex life of a fish – or the effects cocaine has on mice. Your ‘studies’ have reached a point of simple and wasteful to the American people. Now Americans can, once again, see where their stimulus money has gone.

    I have lost total respect for the majority of the graduates and professors of the ‘elite’ schools. If I have a choice between a doctor, lawyer or accountant from a smaller College or University OR one from one of the ‘elite’ schools, the choice would be simple. As a legal American citizen, I believe my chances of survival would be far superior with a professional who actually studied their profession rather than the ‘elites’ who choose to play God. Sorry Harvard and Princeton, but your indoctrination- based schools are beginning to be seen as nothing but arrogant and possibly dangerous options. When I think of ‘elite’ schools now…I think of Cass Sunstein and his idea of ‘population control’.
    So heads up ‘elite’ graduates. Your credentials have been truly diminished by your ‘professors’ and the current administration. When you decide to stand for principles and honor over party, your alma mater will once again have some prestige. Until then, I’ll stick with the doctors who believe in the hippocratic oath, the lawyers who believe in the Constitution and the economists who have actually balanced a checkbook in their lifetime.

    Oh, and I‘ll stick with believing in studies that have an impact on the American people rather than the ’leftist’ studies that can best be considered trivia.

    Report Post »  
  • cbermudez82
    Posted on September 23, 2010 at 2:55pm

    haha

    wait thats not funny I’m a lefty

    Report Post »  
  • nkawtg
    Posted on September 23, 2010 at 2:49pm

    So if according to Dr Oppenheimer, voter behaviour is irrational and that factors totally unrelated to politics affect the outcomes of elections, does that give argument for progressives to ban elections?
    And so since voter behaviour is irrational (Homer), they must take that choice away.

    Very spooky

    Report Post » nkawtg  
  • CaptainSpaulding
    Posted on September 23, 2010 at 2:39pm

    ….how much money was wasted on this study?

    Report Post »  
  • BSdetector
    Posted on September 23, 2010 at 2:39pm

    Any more shovel ready projects for us to fund?

    Report Post » BSdetector  
  • DimmuBorgir
    Posted on September 23, 2010 at 2:36pm

    HA HA HA HA

    i was actually leaning right in my chair when i opened this up

    Report Post » DimmuBorgir  
  • unionrockstar
    Posted on September 23, 2010 at 2:16pm

    Yawn………………………………………………………………………………..OK

    Report Post »  
  • CultureWarriors
    Posted on September 23, 2010 at 2:10pm

    They tend to be sissys too!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UtmTALMkU4

    Report Post » CultureWarriors  
  • Caremom
    Posted on September 23, 2010 at 1:49pm

    “factors totally unrelated to politics affect the outcomes of elections.” Give me a break!
    Time to sit up straight, voting America; ignore the sweet talk and double speakers.
    Look for the Chris Christies who tell it like it is and vote them in!

    Report Post » Caremom  
  • HUGGINGMYBABIES
    Posted on September 23, 2010 at 1:38pm

    I’m a left handed person who tips her head left and leans left in her chair and I take offense at this study! I want my money back! Left handed people are the only people in their “right” minds you know, so that shoots that study down, right there! :D

    I am NO democrat Mr. Princeton Poopypants!!

    Report Post » HUGGINGMYBABIES  
  • DagneyT
    Posted on September 23, 2010 at 1:28pm

    I can’t decide if this is wishful thinking from leftie profs, or desperation from bo paying for ridiculous studies to give him hope prior to November 2nd. It’s a toss up.

    Report Post » DagneyT  
  • texasred
    Posted on September 23, 2010 at 1:27pm

    Thank you Princeton. More academia trying to explain why voters act irrationally. Couldn’t be that we think for ourselves. Are you Harvard, Yale, Princeton guys the ones who decide what is or isn’t rational behavior? We have to stop giving these elite academics a platform where they try to tell the American public what is and isn’t rational, correct behavior. How much stimulus or grants did they get to conduct such a stupid study. Must have come in right after the study to see if college girls have more sex when drunk than sober. SOMEONE STOP THE INSANITY.

    Report Post »  
  • SND97
    Posted on September 23, 2010 at 1:24pm

    I lean backwards does that mean I’m stupid? Pissst…Don’t ask my wife that question ok? :-)

    Report Post »  
  • carol m
    Posted on September 23, 2010 at 1:23pm

    Ahem, we actually spent money on this study? Oh I see it was done to buck up all the left teachers and college professsors and let them know that they are succeeding in indoctrinationg our youth. Now I get it. Evena teacher needs to know they are getting through to their students. And they say the school system doesn’t work Bah.

    Report Post »  
  • megansmom
    Posted on September 23, 2010 at 1:18pm

    Does this mean if somebody sways right to left they are a RINO?

    Report Post »  
  • van
    Posted on September 23, 2010 at 1:17pm

    Yeah, and ice cream causes pregnancy…

    Report Post »  
  • Polwatcher
    Posted on September 23, 2010 at 1:13pm

    Why is it that I am not surprised.

    Report Post »  
    • Brady
      Posted on September 23, 2010 at 3:28pm

      You aren‘t surprised because it’s par for the course that elites would describe people they‘ve never met’s voting habits as without direction and therefore less than legitimate. Now they have a further means to marginalize the Tea Party; all they have to say is that we have curved spines and can’t help ourselves.

      Report Post » Brady  
  • Mike777
    Posted on September 23, 2010 at 1:11pm

    I wonder how much stimulus money they got for this study.

    Report Post » Mike777  
    • MrButcher
      Posted on September 23, 2010 at 1:17pm

      haha

      Report Post » MrButcher  
    • Diane Oliver
      Posted on September 23, 2010 at 1:23pm

      That was my first thought … probably more than I’d be happy with … anything over .01

      Report Post »  
    • ayemossum
      Posted on September 23, 2010 at 1:47pm

      that’s not funny

      Report Post »  
    • orkydorky
      Posted on September 23, 2010 at 1:54pm

      Princeton scientists, …………………………………………………………..right. More government Cons playing the system and making dee money! A very good argument for removing tenure.

      Report Post » orkydorky  
    • Independent Tess
      Posted on September 23, 2010 at 2:11pm

      And here I thought my preferences were based on my moral compass and what I saw being offered by the various political parties. Silly me!
      Now I know they are based on which cheek I prefer.

      Report Post » Independent Tess  
    • patriotsforamerica
      Posted on September 23, 2010 at 3:11pm

      EXACTLY!!!! I was thinking the same thing!!!

      Report Post »  
    • Major Infidel
      Posted on September 23, 2010 at 5:59pm

      Too much I’m sure. :(

      Report Post » Major Infidel  
    • joy2002cjm
      Posted on September 25, 2010 at 5:47pm

      perfect.. LOL

      Report Post » joy2002cjm  
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