Structural complexity of thought is independent of ideological correctness

Evidence

It should be emphasized that the complexity coding system focuses on the cognitive structure, not the content, of expressed beliefs and is therefore not biased for or against any particular philosophy. One can be simple or complex in the advocacy of a wide range of political positions. For instance, Karl Marx and Adam Smith developed highly integratively complex arguments to support polar opposite positions on fundamental issues of economic policy (communism vs. capitalism). A corollary of the above point is that there is no necessary relation between integrative complexity and the correctness of the positions taken by individuals (Tetlock, 1983a). — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 2313 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Sloganeering reaction to complexity tends to confirm existing prejudices — David Harvey, The Condition of Postmodernity: An…, 2182; Rokeach studied belief structure independent of ideological content; Political moderates think in more complex terms than extremists (+4 more)

Broader Connections

• Integrative complexity measures cognitive structure, not ideological content or correctness #corroborates (0.95) — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 2313