By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – We are in the heat of the primary season and it is clear that we live in a country where there are many people who share vastly different political views and many who share similar thoughts. So this next report might seem somewhat strange: easily startled people share similar political views.

Researchers studying whether biological issues could play a role in political views have discovered that easily startled people are more likely to favor certain similar political stances.

The study of adults found that those who startled easily with loud noises were more likely to be in favor of capital punishment and defense spending. Calmer folks in the study were more likely to favor foreign aid, pacifism, and gun control.

Just wait until the political consultants get a hold of this.