I don't think the study infers that liberals are smarter, just more flexible in their ability to shift preconceptions--although that conclusion may be a stretch in this particular, limited study. Read at least parts of the "damning" analysis that Mr. Saletan refers to in his article to learn something of the previous work done on conservative thought processes and their derivations. People who identify as conservative won't like it and won't read it, I suspect, but for inquiring minds it's a real contribution rather than an "us vs. them" ("you vs. we")diatribe.