A recent study published in the journal Thinking & Reasoning has found that a specific type of open-mindedness is a better predictor of healthy reasoning than simply identifying as a political liberal. The research suggests that while open-minded thinking and liberal ideology often overlap, they are fundamentally different psychological traits. The findings help clarify how people process information and resist political extremism, regardless of their political party. Actively open-minded thinking is a cognitive style where a person intentionally seeks out information that contradicts their own beliefs. People who score high in this trait tend to tolerate ambiguity, avoid jumping to conclusions, and willingly revise their opinions when presented with new evidence. It involves temporarily stepping back from your own assumptions to objectively evaluate a complex situation. “This study was conceived after finishing my book on myside bias, The Bias that Divides Us. Writing that book was a reminder about how politicized many areas of psychology had become,” said study author Keith E. Stanovich, emeritus professor of applied psychology and human development at the University of …