A new study published in Political Psychology suggests that people at both ends of the political spectrum may experience more intense physical reactions to emotionally stirring stimuli, such as inspirational speeches or powerful music. These responses, often described as “aesthetic chills,” were more pronounced among both very liberal and very conservative participants, and this heightened reaction appears to be linked to traits like religiosity and bodily awareness.

While past work suggested that conservatives might be especially responsive to emotionally resonant moments, the current findings point to a broader pattern. The intensity of people’s physical reactions seemed to grow the further their political beliefs strayed from the center, hinting at a possible connection between emotional depth and ideological extremity, regardless of direction.

PDF of study: Individual differences in aesthetic experience point to the role of bodily awareness in political orientation (Archive)