The Feeling of Rationality: The Meaning of Neuroscientific Advances for Political Science

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The Feeling of Rationality is written by Rose McDermott and details recent advances in neuroscience and their implications for political sciences.

The paper is based on the fact that emotions play significant and pivotal roles on political decisions, and while its role in political science has not been studied in depth, McDermott observes that emotions can offer alternative grounds for explaining and predicting political decisions and action.

McDermott begins by making reference to the Iraq war and how the Bush administrations’ decision to wage war against Iraq were motivated by a feeling of revenge against Saddam Hussein, who had tried to assassinate the president’s father.

Such is the importance of emotional motivations in politics. Recent advances in neurosciences have offered a wealth of information on the workings of the brain and the interactive processes between the body and mind.

McDermott begins by defining emotion as it is very central towards understanding the topic under discussion. She contends that there is no universally accepted definition of emotion and the aspects surrounding it.

Nevertheless, she relies on Gerald Clore and Andrew Ortony who define the term as “one of a larger set of differentiated biologically based complex conditions that are about something” (McDermott, pp. 692). The author then proceeds to outline the various contemporary theories that have arisen to explain the nature of emotion. The paper presents five theories and their possible connection to political decisions.

Studies show that emotion is a very important element in political decisions. Indeed, several of these studies have shown a link between facial expressions and voting, judgment and political behavior. Related studies in psychology have also had similar findings.

One of the emotional aspects that can affect political decisions is mood. McDermott point out that mood and memory are very important in decision-making as outlined by the theory of mood congruence. For instance, mood may affect information processing.

Similarly, emotional memories can significantly affect political decision-making. Reference is made to a recent study which showed that hostile communications between two political leaders may increase the propensity for violence in the future.

Further, it is shown that different emotions elicit different responses and this may greatly affect the political decisions made by a leader. Interestingly, the author mentions that emotions are affected by gender differences: men are known to be more predisposed than women. Further studies show that perceptions of risk are also linked to emotions.

It has also been shown that the emotional responses after decisions play a significant role in future decisions. Emotional responses such as regret and disappointment affect decision-making and this finding is consistent with the predictions of the prospect theory.

Besides, anticipated emotion to certain actions and events can also affect political decision-making. In making a decision, a person wants to maximize the likelihood of having happiness out of the decision, but minimizing grief.

The fact that all decisions involve some prediction of how the outcome will make us feel only serves to show the role of emotion in political decisions. The final aspect of investigation into the link between emotions and decision making is found on the rubrics of memory.

McDermott writes that people tend to best recall the peak intensity and the end of an emotional experience. Consequently, they repeatedly make choices that involve more instead of less pain.

The findings of this study have important implications for political science. The first relates to rational choice. McDermott writes that modern formulations of rational choice should be reconciled against emotional assessments.

Secondly, emotions should function as motivators and directors of attention rather than the sole component of decision making.

Policy implications of the findings of the study include less emphasis by governments on incomes and more on employment and job programs, encouraging leisure activities, and supporting marriage and other family relationships. This can best be implemented through education.

Works Cited

McDermott, Rose. The Feeling of Rationality: The Meaning of Neuroscientific Advances for Political Science. Perspectives on Politics, 2(4), 2004. 691-705

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The Feeling of Rationality: The Meaning of Neuroscientific Advances for Political Science

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