The (not so) elusive liberal bias in social cognition

The extant literature on political ideology indicates that political conservatives tend to exhibit political biases more often than do political liberals. This conclusion is challenged in a series of studies based on the perspective of ideologically objectionable circumstances (IOC) theory, which states that ideological biases will not be observed if circumstances are ideologically objectionable to perceivers (liberals or conservatives). It is argued that previous studies have presented liberal participants with circumstances that are ideologically objectionable, but have presented conservatives with circumstances that are ideologically acceptable. This may account for the greater evidence of conservative bias than liberal bias in the extant literature. Study 1 replicated previous findings of asymmetrical conservative bias within the context of IOC. Study 2 further tested and found alternative patterns of bias predicted by IOC. Study 3 explored the nature of political intolerance among liberals and conservatives, as well as ideological biases in the application of democratic principles to specific groups. The results of these three studies indicate that bias among both liberals and conservatives can be observed if perceivers are not placed in circumstances that are objectionable to their respective ideological perspectives.