OMAHA, Neb. -- A provocative study released by University of Nebraska researchers suggests that voting behaviors may be linked to inherent fears.

The research is featured in the Sept. 19 issue of "Science Magazine".

Study participants who showed a stronger reaction to fear-invoking pictures and startling noises were found to favor defense spending, capital punishment and the Iraq war.

People who were less startled were more likely to to support foreign aid, pacifism and gun control, researchers reported.

Researcher John Hibbing said the findings indicate that groups of people with strong political beliefs will be especially resistant to change.

"Their beliefs come not from the environment a couple of days ago, but from some very deep physiological tendencies," Hibbing said.