Left/Right 20 Questions

Yet another one of those online "How ___ Are You" quizzes!

This set of questions is from the book Predisposed: Liberals, Conservatives, and the Biology of Political Differences. It's a convincing book, arguing that the left/right split goes way back in history, covers a lot of topics, and is probably at least partially built into us at the genetic level.

The 5 Questions from the song Are We All Hardwired?1

Could you slap your father in the face (with his permission) as part of a comedy skit?


When you go to work in the morning, do you often leave a mess in your apartment or house?


Which lesson is more important to teach to children?


Do you get bored by abstract ideas and theoretical discussions?


Think about this carefully for 15 seconds: “Cleanliness is next to Godliness.” Which answer is closer to your current thoughts?


Which item from each pair comes closest to describing you?2






If forced to pick only one from each pair, which would you prefer?






Are you closer to agreeing or disagreeing with the following statements?3

Some people are just more worthy than others.


If people were treated more equally, we would have fewer problems in this country.


To get ahead in life, it is sometimes necessary to step on others.


In an ideal world, all nations would be equal.


It’s probably a good thing that certain groups are at the top and other groups are at the bottom.


liberal conservative

1Christine Lavin, John Alford, John Hibbing, Jeff Mondak, and Gene Weingarten. (©2009). Hardwired.

2 Dana R. Carney, John T. Jost, Samuel D. Gosling, and Jeff Potter. (2008). "The Secret Lives of Liberals and Conservatives: Personality Profiles, Interaction Styles, and the Things They Leave Behind." Political Psychology, 29(6), pp. 807-840.

3 Felicia Pratto, James Sidanius, Lisa M. Stallworth, and Bertram F. Malle. (1994). "Social Dominance Orientation: A Personality Variable Predicting Social and Political Attitudes." Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 67(4), pp. 741-763.