I've had to watch Fox many times, as part of my newswriting work.
What makes Fox so effective is that it's a nonstop barrage designed to make you feel angry, and scared. Psychological studies have shown that just being angry and scared makes you more open to conservative ideas.
What makes Fox so effective is that it's a nonstop barrage designed to make you feel angry, and scared. Psychological studies have shown that just being angry and scared makes you more open to conservative ideas.
There have been experiments where people were shown upsetting images or words, and then were asked to answer political questions or rate their personal beliefs, and people put into an angry or scared or disgusted state were noticeably more likely to give conservative answers.
There are also studies that suggest GOP voters have larger amygdalae (the portions of the brain that process fear or aggression responses.)
It's unclear whether the beliefs cause the neurological changes, or vice versa, or both.
What is certain: Fox works on fear.
It's unclear whether the beliefs cause the neurological changes, or vice versa, or both.
What is certain: Fox works on fear.
