Subscribe
The latest psychology and neuroscience discoveries.
My Account
  • Mental Health
  • Social Psychology
  • Cognitive Science
  • Psychopharmacology
No Result
View All Result
PsyPost
PsyPost
No Result
View All Result
Home Exclusive Social Psychology Political Psychology

Left wing ‘armchair socialists’ more physically active than political centrists

by British Medical Journal
December 11, 2014
in Political Psychology
Photo credit: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan (Creative Commons)

Photo credit: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan (Creative Commons)

[Subscribe to PsyPost Premium to enjoy an ad-free experience! Click here to sign up.]

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

In fact, political centrists would do well to stop ‘sitting on the fence’ and boost their physical activity levels to improve their health, say the researchers.

The term “armchair socialist” was coined in the 19th century by German economists who scoffed at academics advocating social policy, dubbing them “socialists of the chair” (Kathedersozialisten).

The term has since evolved to describe middle class people who talk a lot about politics but who aren’t politically active in any way, and fail to “walk the talk.”

The concept has been widely adopted, prompting several variations on the theme, including “limousine liberal,” “chardonnay socialist,” “champagne socialist,” and “armchair revolutionary.”

In a bid to find out if armchair socialists really do spend a lot of time sitting down, and talking rather than doing, the researchers analysed responses to the 2005 Eurobarometer survey, carried out on behalf of the European Commission.

The survey involved more than 29,000 adults, with an average age in the mid-40s, from 32 European countries. Among other things, respondents were asked about the amount and intensity of physical activity they did every week, including how much time they spent sitting down.

And they were asked to score their political orientation from 1 (rabid left wing) to 10 (far right wing). Those with scores between 3 and 8 were described as centrists.

Some 1,985 (6.8%) respondents declared themselves to be on the extreme left of the political spectrum, while 1,902 (6.5%) said they were on the far right. A further 17,657 (60.5%) espoused centrist views. Some 7,649 people (26.2%) didn’t reveal their political beliefs.

The responses showed that people on both ends of the political spectrum spent more time engaged in vigorous physical activity every week than centrists. And they spent significantly more time walking.

Overall, left wingers were physically active for almost an hour more (just under 59 minutes) every week than centrists, while right wingers were over an hour (just over 62 minutes) more active.

Those who didn’t admit to any political affiliation were the most physically inactive of all, clocking up 40 fewer minutes of physical activity every week than centrists.

Political extremists on the right also spent almost 13 fewer minutes a day sitting down than centrists, while centrists and left wingers spent a similar amount of time seated, after taking account of influential factors.

“Our findings refute the existence of an armchair socialist,” write the researchers, adding: “Busy people at both ends of the political spectrum do not seem to have as much time for idleness.” The higher physical activity levels reported by political extremists suggest that they might be out “agitating in the field, mobilising the community, and actively distributing ideas and propaganda,” they say.

“It is those sitting in the middle (politically) that are truly inactive, and may be sitting more (both on the fence and elsewhere), making them a defined at-risk group,” they warn.

And they go on to suggest: “The politically uncommitted and centrists should consider adopting a stronger political stance for their health. This may also reduce their sitting time, particularly if they shift their views to the right.”

ShareTweetSendScanShareSharePinSend
Previous Post

Finnish study establishes connection between gut microbiota and Parkinson’s disease

Next Post

Affluence, not political complexity, explains the rise of moralizing world religions

STAY CONNECTED

Find these awesome psychology shirts and more at the PsyPost Store!

TRENDING

New study identifies perceived mattering as a core psychological component of happy marriages

Engaging in LGBQ activism is associated with positive psychological functioning among sexual minorities

People with social anxiety more likely to become overdependent on conversational artificial intelligence agents

Breathing exercises show potential in modulating Alzheimer’s biomarkers, study finds

Diversity of the gut microbiota is associated with the severity of depression

New psychology research reveals the “bullshit blind spot”

RECENT

Neuroscience research sheds light on how LSDĀ alters the brain’s “gatekeeper”

New study on orienteering suggests cognitive flexibility can be developed through sports training

Contrary to prior research, Brazilian study finds economic scarcity is not linked to racial perception

Individuals prompted to experience gratitude and indebtedness are more likely to behave in prosocial ways

Engaging in LGBQ activism is associated with positive psychological functioning among sexual minorities

Vegans are perceived as less suitable for jobs stereotypically associated with masculinity, study finds

People with social anxiety more likely to become overdependent on conversational artificial intelligence agents

New study highlights several key predictors of gratitude to God

Currently Playing

New psychology research reveals the “bullshit blind spot”

New psychology research reveals the “bullshit blind spot”

New psychology research reveals the “bullshit blind spot”

Cognitive Science
Higher prenatal testosterone exposure is linked to Machiavellianism and psychopathy, study suggests

Higher prenatal testosterone exposure is linked to Machiavellianism and psychopathy, study suggests

Dark Triad
New study identifies perceived mattering as a core psychological component of happy marriages

New study identifies perceived mattering as a core psychological component of happy marriages

Relationships and Sexual Health
Childhood adversity associated with increased emotional response to others’ suffering in adulthood

Childhood adversity associated with increased emotional response to others’ suffering in adulthood

Mental Health
New study sheds light on cognitive mechanisms linked to hypnosis

Chronic intake of refined carbohydrates between meals is associated with decreased cognitive performance, study finds

Cognitive Science
Mindfulness might hinder prosocial behavior among individuals with high intelligence

Mindfulness might hinder prosocial behavior among individuals with high intelligence

Social Psychology
  • Cognitive Science
  • COVID-19
  • Mental Health
  • Social Psychology
  • Drug Research
  • Conspiracy Theories
  • Meditation
  • Psychology of Religion
  • Aviation Psychology and Human Factors
  • Relationships and Sexual Health
  • Evolutionary Psychology
  • Neuroimaging
  • Psychedelic Drugs
  • Dark Triad
  • Political Psychology

About

PsyPost is a psychology and neuroscience news website dedicated to reporting the latest research on human behavior, cognition, and society. (READ MORE...)

  • Contact us
  • Privacy policy

Subscribe
  • My Account
  • Cognitive Science Research
  • Mental Health Research
  • Social Psychology Research
  • Drug Research
  • Relationship Research
  • About PsyPost
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used.