Political affiliations matter when it comes to choosing a mate.
By The American Bazaar Staff
NEW YORK: How do you differentiate Democrats from Republicans? By their smell, of course.
A new study from the American Journal of Political Science indicates that different political affiliations may actually correspond with different body odors, reported The Week.
The researchers, led by Brown University political scientist Rose McDermott, found that conservatives and liberals smell dissimilar. While the difference is small, it is apparently significant enough that we subconsciously prefer the scent of those who vote like we do, the report said.
“It appears nature stacks the deck to make politically similar partners more attractive to each other in unconscious ways,” the researchers wrote.
Previous research has found a number of other political view correlations with unknown degrees of biological and cultural influences. From eating preferences (the left likes strawberry jelly, while the right favors grape) to alcohol choices (Republicans like brown liquors; Democrats drink the clear stuff), conservatives and liberals live as distinctly as they vote, said Week.
Other differences are more psychological: Conservatives will look at an unpleasant image 15 percent longer than liberals, and they’re also more likely to keep an organized dorm room in college. In fact, one study showed that conservatives are more generally conscientious and liberals are more open to new experiences. Libertarians display some psychological aspects of both groups, albeit with a far lighter helping of respect for authority, the Week reported.
Maybe just like cab drivers in San Diego, California, have to take a smell test and if they flunk are asked to change clothes, TV stations may now set up a smell detector test at polling booths to get a good exit poll out in elections.