Book chapter
Chapter 17 - The Henchman’s Brain: Neuropsychological Implications of Authoritarianism and Prejudice
Neuroimaging Personality, Social Cognition, and Character, pp.325-335
Elsevier Inc
2016
DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-12-800935-2.00017-8
Abstract
Why do some individuals have an unwavering obedience to authority? Why do these same individuals often present with a proclivity toward prejudicial beliefs? This chapter aims to elucidate these questions by reviewing evidence from psychological and neuropsychological studies. First, we explore research findings regarding authoritarianism and prejudice that reveal the two constructs to be highly associated and multidetermined. Next, we examine the False Tagging Theory, a neuroanatomical model suggesting that the ventromedial prefrontal cortex is a critical neural substrate involved in falsifying initially believed propositions, including automatic prejudicial beliefs and authoritarian attitudes. Evidence from human lesion studies—in conjunction with neuroimaging findings—may offer a neural explanation for how individuals inhibit authoritarian and prejudicial beliefs. Taken together, the findings reviewed in this chapter suggest that distinctive regions of the brain—when damaged—may be responsible for creating an ostensibly authoritarian, obedient, and prejudicial behavioral profile: the profile of a henchman.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Chapter 17 - The Henchman’s Brain: Neuropsychological Implications of Authoritarianism and Prejudice
- Creators
- Kelsey Warner - Department of Neurology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USADaniel Tranel - Department of Neurology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USAErik Asp - Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Resource Type
- Book chapter
- Publication Details
- Neuroimaging Personality, Social Cognition, and Character, pp.325-335
- DOI
- 10.1016/B978-0-12-800935-2.00017-8
- Publisher
- Elsevier Inc
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 2016
- Academic Unit
- Neurology; Psychological and Brain Sciences; Iowa Neuroscience Institute
- Record Identifier
- 9984070282202771
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