Political Science 146 – Public Opinion and MassMedia: Attitude Stability and Non-Attitudes;

Organization of Political Attitudes

Loren Collingwood, Political Science

February 7, 2017

Learning Theory

I Learning theory: Repeated exposure to attitude objects paired withpositive or negative adjectives teaches us to like or dislike thoseobjects

I E.G.: Parent who uses derogatory/prejudiced language towardsminority groups

I Attitudes attained more like habits; individuals are passive actors inacquisition of attitudes

I Attitudes are stable until new learning occurs (i.e., when you go tocollege)

I Transfer of Affect: Attitude toward an object is transferred to arelated object

I E.G., you like someone, so you like their friend; why politicianssurround themselves with flags

Learning Theory

I Learning theory: Repeated exposure to attitude objects paired withpositive or negative adjectives teaches us to like or dislike thoseobjects

I E.G.: Parent who uses derogatory/prejudiced language towardsminority groups

I Attitudes attained more like habits; individuals are passive actors inacquisition of attitudes

I Attitudes are stable until new learning occurs (i.e., when you go tocollege)

I Transfer of Affect: Attitude toward an object is transferred to arelated object

I E.G., you like someone, so you like their friend; why politicianssurround themselves with flags

Learning Theory

I Learning theory: Repeated exposure to attitude objects paired withpositive or negative adjectives teaches us to like or dislike thoseobjects

I E.G.: Parent who uses derogatory/prejudiced language towardsminority groups

I Attitudes attained more like habits; individuals are passive actors inacquisition of attitudes

I Attitudes are stable until new learning occurs (i.e., when you go tocollege)

I Transfer of Affect: Attitude toward an object is transferred to arelated object

I E.G., you like someone, so you like their friend; why politicianssurround themselves with flags

Learning Theory

I Learning theory: Repeated exposure to attitude objects paired withpositive or negative adjectives teaches us to like or dislike thoseobjects

I E.G.: Parent who uses derogatory/prejudiced language towardsminority groups

I Attitudes attained more like habits; individuals are passive actors inacquisition of attitudes

I Attitudes are stable until new learning occurs (i.e., when you go tocollege)

I Transfer of Affect: Attitude toward an object is transferred to arelated object

I E.G., you like someone, so you like their friend; why politicianssurround themselves with flags

Learning Theory

I Learning theory: Repeated exposure to attitude objects paired withpositive or negative adjectives teaches us to like or dislike thoseobjects

I E.G.: Parent who uses derogatory/prejudiced language towardsminority groups

I Attitudes attained more like habits; individuals are passive actors inacquisition of attitudes

I Attitudes are stable until new learning occurs (i.e., when you go tocollege)

I Transfer of Affect: Attitude toward an object is transferred to arelated object

I E.G., you like someone, so you like their friend; why politicianssurround themselves with flags

Learning Theory

I Learning theory: Repeated exposure to attitude objects paired withpositive or negative adjectives teaches us to like or dislike thoseobjects

I E.G.: Parent who uses derogatory/prejudiced language towardsminority groups

I Attitudes attained more like habits; individuals are passive actors inacquisition of attitudes

I Attitudes are stable until new learning occurs (i.e., when you go tocollege)

I Transfer of Affect: Attitude toward an object is transferred to arelated object

I E.G., you like someone, so you like their friend; why politicianssurround themselves with flags

Receive-Accept-Sample Model (John Zaller)

I Designed to explicitly account for the formation and change ofattitudes in response to political communication

I Examines elite discourse in mass media: all and any type of elitediscourse (politicians, candidates, news reporters, experts)

I Reception: For people to be persuaded, the must receive themessage

I Not everybody receives messages equally thoughI Reception constrained by political awarenessI More politically aware citizens more likely to receive messages (watch

news, know civics, know political actors, debate friends)

Receive-Accept-Sample Model (John Zaller)

I Designed to explicitly account for the formation and change ofattitudes in response to political communication

I Examines elite discourse in mass media: all and any type of elitediscourse (politicians, candidates, news reporters, experts)

I Reception: For people to be persuaded, the must receive themessage

I Not everybody receives messages equally thoughI Reception constrained by political awarenessI More politically aware citizens more likely to receive messages (watch

news, know civics, know political actors, debate friends)

Receive-Accept-Sample Model (John Zaller)

I Designed to explicitly account for the formation and change ofattitudes in response to political communication

I Examines elite discourse in mass media: all and any type of elitediscourse (politicians, candidates, news reporters, experts)

I Reception: For people to be persuaded, the must receive themessage

I Not everybody receives messages equally thoughI Reception constrained by political awarenessI More politically aware citizens more likely to receive messages (watch

news, know civics, know political actors, debate friends)

Receive-Accept-Sample Model (John Zaller)

I Designed to explicitly account for the formation and change ofattitudes in response to political communication

I Examines elite discourse in mass media: all and any type of elitediscourse (politicians, candidates, news reporters, experts)

I Reception: For people to be persuaded, the must receive themessage

I Not everybody receives messages equally though

I Reception constrained by political awarenessI More politically aware citizens more likely to receive messages (watch

news, know civics, know political actors, debate friends)

Receive-Accept-Sample Model (John Zaller)

I Designed to explicitly account for the formation and change ofattitudes in response to political communication

I Examines elite discourse in mass media: all and any type of elitediscourse (politicians, candidates, news reporters, experts)

I Reception: For people to be persuaded, the must receive themessage

I Not everybody receives messages equally thoughI Reception constrained by political awareness

I More politically aware citizens more likely to receive messages (watchnews, know civics, know political actors, debate friends)

Receive-Accept-Sample Model (John Zaller)

I Designed to explicitly account for the formation and change ofattitudes in response to political communication

I Examines elite discourse in mass media: all and any type of elitediscourse (politicians, candidates, news reporters, experts)

I Reception: For people to be persuaded, the must receive themessage

I Not everybody receives messages equally thoughI Reception constrained by political awarenessI More politically aware citizens more likely to receive messages (watch

news, know civics, know political actors, debate friends)

Receive-Accept-Sample-Model

I Acceptance: Once citizens receive message message, persuasion canoccur. Citizens either accept or reject message.

I Better informed/aware citizens can better evaluate message. Citizensdo not “make mistakes” and accept “wrong” messages

I People who pay more attention to politics are “better able toevaluate and critically scrutinize the new information theyencounter.” Thus, unlikely to experience attitude change

I Less knowledgeable people also don’t experience attitude changebecause they don’t receive message

I Mid-range knowledge people most likely to undergo attitude change

Receive-Accept-Sample-Model

I Acceptance: Once citizens receive message message, persuasion canoccur. Citizens either accept or reject message.

I Better informed/aware citizens can better evaluate message. Citizensdo not “make mistakes” and accept “wrong” messages

I People who pay more attention to politics are “better able toevaluate and critically scrutinize the new information theyencounter.” Thus, unlikely to experience attitude change

I Less knowledgeable people also don’t experience attitude changebecause they don’t receive message

I Mid-range knowledge people most likely to undergo attitude change

Receive-Accept-Sample-Model

I Acceptance: Once citizens receive message message, persuasion canoccur. Citizens either accept or reject message.

I Better informed/aware citizens can better evaluate message. Citizensdo not “make mistakes” and accept “wrong” messages

I People who pay more attention to politics are “better able toevaluate and critically scrutinize the new information theyencounter.” Thus, unlikely to experience attitude change

I Less knowledgeable people also don’t experience attitude changebecause they don’t receive message

I Mid-range knowledge people most likely to undergo attitude change

Receive-Accept-Sample-Model

I Acceptance: Once citizens receive message message, persuasion canoccur. Citizens either accept or reject message.

I Better informed/aware citizens can better evaluate message. Citizensdo not “make mistakes” and accept “wrong” messages

I People who pay more attention to politics are “better able toevaluate and critically scrutinize the new information theyencounter.” Thus, unlikely to experience attitude change

I Less knowledgeable people also don’t experience attitude changebecause they don’t receive message

I Mid-range knowledge people most likely to undergo attitude change

Receive-Accept-Sample-Model

I Acceptance: Once citizens receive message message, persuasion canoccur. Citizens either accept or reject message.

I Better informed/aware citizens can better evaluate message. Citizensdo not “make mistakes” and accept “wrong” messages

I People who pay more attention to politics are “better able toevaluate and critically scrutinize the new information theyencounter.” Thus, unlikely to experience attitude change

I Less knowledgeable people also don’t experience attitude changebecause they don’t receive message

I Mid-range knowledge people most likely to undergo attitude change

Political Predispositions

I Elites convey messages and citizens interpret them, weigh themagainst existing predispositions

I Political Predisposition: Core values, enduring beliefs, experiences,learned through socialization

I If message lines up with predisposition, then accept, if opposespredisposition, then reject

I Individuals unlikely to accept a message that is inconsistent withtheir predispositions

I E.G.: Conservative citizen who encounters stream of liberalmessages is unlikely to adopt those messages because they conflictwith standing values or positions

Political Predispositions

I Elites convey messages and citizens interpret them, weigh themagainst existing predispositions

I Political Predisposition: Core values, enduring beliefs, experiences,learned through socialization

I If message lines up with predisposition, then accept, if opposespredisposition, then reject

I Individuals unlikely to accept a message that is inconsistent withtheir predispositions

I E.G.: Conservative citizen who encounters stream of liberalmessages is unlikely to adopt those messages because they conflictwith standing values or positions

Political Predispositions

I Elites convey messages and citizens interpret them, weigh themagainst existing predispositions

I Political Predisposition: Core values, enduring beliefs, experiences,learned through socialization

I If message lines up with predisposition, then accept, if opposespredisposition, then reject

I Individuals unlikely to accept a message that is inconsistent withtheir predispositions

I E.G.: Conservative citizen who encounters stream of liberalmessages is unlikely to adopt those messages because they conflictwith standing values or positions

Political Predispositions

I Elites convey messages and citizens interpret them, weigh themagainst existing predispositions

I Political Predisposition: Core values, enduring beliefs, experiences,learned through socialization

I If message lines up with predisposition, then accept, if opposespredisposition, then reject

I Individuals unlikely to accept a message that is inconsistent withtheir predispositions

I E.G.: Conservative citizen who encounters stream of liberalmessages is unlikely to adopt those messages because they conflictwith standing values or positions

Political Predispositions

I Elites convey messages and citizens interpret them, weigh themagainst existing predispositions

I Political Predisposition: Core values, enduring beliefs, experiences,learned through socialization

I If message lines up with predisposition, then accept, if opposespredisposition, then reject

I Individuals unlikely to accept a message that is inconsistent withtheir predispositions

I E.G.: Conservative citizen who encounters stream of liberalmessages is unlikely to adopt those messages because they conflictwith standing values or positions

Attitude Response in Surveys (Zaller)

I Peoples’ opinions not necessarily altered once they have received andaccepted a political message

I Individuals accept messages but only update opinions when called onto do so

I E.G.: In debates with friends, phone survey

I Considerations: “Any reason[s] that might induce an individual todecide a political issue one way or the other

I If, when called upon to give an opinion, more considerations supportone point of view than another, then that opinion is given

I This is the sample part of the model

Attitude Response in Surveys (Zaller)

I Peoples’ opinions not necessarily altered once they have received andaccepted a political message

I Individuals accept messages but only update opinions when called onto do so

I E.G.: In debates with friends, phone survey

I Considerations: “Any reason[s] that might induce an individual todecide a political issue one way or the other

I If, when called upon to give an opinion, more considerations supportone point of view than another, then that opinion is given

I This is the sample part of the model

Attitude Response in Surveys (Zaller)

I Peoples’ opinions not necessarily altered once they have received andaccepted a political message

I Individuals accept messages but only update opinions when called onto do so

I E.G.: In debates with friends, phone survey

I Considerations: “Any reason[s] that might induce an individual todecide a political issue one way or the other

I If, when called upon to give an opinion, more considerations supportone point of view than another, then that opinion is given

I This is the sample part of the model

Attitude Response in Surveys (Zaller)

I Peoples’ opinions not necessarily altered once they have received andaccepted a political message

I Individuals accept messages but only update opinions when called onto do so

I E.G.: In debates with friends, phone survey

I Considerations: “Any reason[s] that might induce an individual todecide a political issue one way or the other

I If, when called upon to give an opinion, more considerations supportone point of view than another, then that opinion is given

I This is the sample part of the model

Attitude Response in Surveys (Zaller)

I Peoples’ opinions not necessarily altered once they have received andaccepted a political message

I Individuals accept messages but only update opinions when called onto do so

I E.G.: In debates with friends, phone survey

I Considerations: “Any reason[s] that might induce an individual todecide a political issue one way or the other

I If, when called upon to give an opinion, more considerations supportone point of view than another, then that opinion is given

I This is the sample part of the model

Attitude Response in Surveys (Zaller)

I Peoples’ opinions not necessarily altered once they have received andaccepted a political message

I Individuals accept messages but only update opinions when called onto do so

I E.G.: In debates with friends, phone survey

I Considerations: “Any reason[s] that might induce an individual todecide a political issue one way or the other

I If, when called upon to give an opinion, more considerations supportone point of view than another, then that opinion is given

I This is the sample part of the model

Cognitive Dissonance

I Cognitive Dissonance: When an individual holds cognitive elements(beliefs, attitudes, knowledge of one’s behavior) that are inopposition, cognitive dissonance exists

I E.G.: Negative views of Democratic party, but donate to Democraticparty

I E.G.: Like Obama, but don’t like drone attacks of children

I Dissonance produces negative arousal and a motivation to eliminatedissonant cognitive element or add more consonant elements

I Donations to Democratic party: Might think of all the good thingsthe Democrats do, so it reduces the impact of the few bad things itdoes...Or accept the political realities that the world is unjust andunfair and we can only manage it

Cognitive Dissonance

I Cognitive Dissonance: When an individual holds cognitive elements(beliefs, attitudes, knowledge of one’s behavior) that are inopposition, cognitive dissonance exists

I E.G.: Negative views of Democratic party, but donate to Democraticparty

I E.G.: Like Obama, but don’t like drone attacks of children

I Dissonance produces negative arousal and a motivation to eliminatedissonant cognitive element or add more consonant elements

I Donations to Democratic party: Might think of all the good thingsthe Democrats do, so it reduces the impact of the few bad things itdoes...Or accept the political realities that the world is unjust andunfair and we can only manage it

Cognitive Dissonance

I Cognitive Dissonance: When an individual holds cognitive elements(beliefs, attitudes, knowledge of one’s behavior) that are inopposition, cognitive dissonance exists

I E.G.: Negative views of Democratic party, but donate to Democraticparty

I E.G.: Like Obama, but don’t like drone attacks of children

I Dissonance produces negative arousal and a motivation to eliminatedissonant cognitive element or add more consonant elements

I Donations to Democratic party: Might think of all the good thingsthe Democrats do, so it reduces the impact of the few bad things itdoes...Or accept the political realities that the world is unjust andunfair and we can only manage it

Cognitive Dissonance

I Cognitive Dissonance: When an individual holds cognitive elements(beliefs, attitudes, knowledge of one’s behavior) that are inopposition, cognitive dissonance exists

I E.G.: Negative views of Democratic party, but donate to Democraticparty

I E.G.: Like Obama, but don’t like drone attacks of children

I Dissonance produces negative arousal and a motivation to eliminatedissonant cognitive element or add more consonant elements

I Donations to Democratic party: Might think of all the good thingsthe Democrats do, so it reduces the impact of the few bad things itdoes...Or accept the political realities that the world is unjust andunfair and we can only manage it

Cognitive Dissonance

I Cognitive Dissonance: When an individual holds cognitive elements(beliefs, attitudes, knowledge of one’s behavior) that are inopposition, cognitive dissonance exists

I E.G.: Negative views of Democratic party, but donate to Democraticparty

I E.G.: Like Obama, but don’t like drone attacks of children

I Dissonance produces negative arousal and a motivation to eliminatedissonant cognitive element or add more consonant elements

I Donations to Democratic party: Might think of all the good thingsthe Democrats do, so it reduces the impact of the few bad things itdoes...Or accept the political realities that the world is unjust andunfair and we can only manage it

Organization of Political Thinking

I What do “liberal” and “conservative” mean?

I Liberalism and conservatism two dominant strains/ideologies inAmerican politics

I Ideology: “An interrelated set of attitudes and values about theproper goals of society and how they should be achieved.”

I “If an attitude is a strand of feeling, then an ideology is a rope ofintertwined attitudes and related fibers”

I Ideology refers to beliefs about the proper role of government

I Ideology more constrained among those with high politicalknowledge and education

Organization of Political Thinking

I What do “liberal” and “conservative” mean?

I Liberalism and conservatism two dominant strains/ideologies inAmerican politics

I Ideology: “An interrelated set of attitudes and values about theproper goals of society and how they should be achieved.”

I “If an attitude is a strand of feeling, then an ideology is a rope ofintertwined attitudes and related fibers”

I Ideology refers to beliefs about the proper role of government

I Ideology more constrained among those with high politicalknowledge and education

Organization of Political Thinking

I What do “liberal” and “conservative” mean?

I Liberalism and conservatism two dominant strains/ideologies inAmerican politics

I Ideology: “An interrelated set of attitudes and values about theproper goals of society and how they should be achieved.”

I “If an attitude is a strand of feeling, then an ideology is a rope ofintertwined attitudes and related fibers”

I Ideology refers to beliefs about the proper role of government

I Ideology more constrained among those with high politicalknowledge and education

Organization of Political Thinking

I What do “liberal” and “conservative” mean?

I Liberalism and conservatism two dominant strains/ideologies inAmerican politics

I Ideology: “An interrelated set of attitudes and values about theproper goals of society and how they should be achieved.”

I “If an attitude is a strand of feeling, then an ideology is a rope ofintertwined attitudes and related fibers”

I Ideology refers to beliefs about the proper role of government

I Ideology more constrained among those with high politicalknowledge and education

Organization of Political Thinking

I What do “liberal” and “conservative” mean?

I Liberalism and conservatism two dominant strains/ideologies inAmerican politics

I Ideology: “An interrelated set of attitudes and values about theproper goals of society and how they should be achieved.”

I “If an attitude is a strand of feeling, then an ideology is a rope ofintertwined attitudes and related fibers”

I Ideology refers to beliefs about the proper role of government

I Ideology more constrained among those with high politicalknowledge and education

Organization of Political Thinking

I What do “liberal” and “conservative” mean?

I Liberalism and conservatism two dominant strains/ideologies inAmerican politics

I Ideology: “An interrelated set of attitudes and values about theproper goals of society and how they should be achieved.”

I “If an attitude is a strand of feeling, then an ideology is a rope ofintertwined attitudes and related fibers”

I Ideology refers to beliefs about the proper role of government

I Ideology more constrained among those with high politicalknowledge and education

Ideology

I Conservative ideology: Emphasizes order, tradition, individualresponsibility, minimal government intervention (especially regardingeconomics).

I More aligned with free market enterprise, less social safety net

I Liberal ideology: Government intervention in the economy issometimes necessary to combat undesirable elements of free market;value equality, openness to dissenting views, and civil rights

I Main tenet of debate though is over economic policy and role ofgovernment

Ideology

I Conservative ideology: Emphasizes order, tradition, individualresponsibility, minimal government intervention (especially regardingeconomics).

I More aligned with free market enterprise, less social safety net

I Liberal ideology: Government intervention in the economy issometimes necessary to combat undesirable elements of free market;value equality, openness to dissenting views, and civil rights

I Main tenet of debate though is over economic policy and role ofgovernment

Ideology

I Conservative ideology: Emphasizes order, tradition, individualresponsibility, minimal government intervention (especially regardingeconomics).

I More aligned with free market enterprise, less social safety net

I Liberal ideology: Government intervention in the economy issometimes necessary to combat undesirable elements of free market;value equality, openness to dissenting views, and civil rights

I Main tenet of debate though is over economic policy and role ofgovernment

Ideology

I Conservative ideology: Emphasizes order, tradition, individualresponsibility, minimal government intervention (especially regardingeconomics).

I More aligned with free market enterprise, less social safety net

I Liberal ideology: Government intervention in the economy issometimes necessary to combat undesirable elements of free market;value equality, openness to dissenting views, and civil rights

I Main tenet of debate though is over economic policy and role ofgovernment

Ideological Innocence

I Belief System: “A configuration of ideas and attitudes in which theelements are bound together by some form of constraint orfunctional interdependence” (Converse)

I Basically, belief system same as ideology

I Constraint: People’s political attitudes are related to each otherbecause they derive from an overarching worldview

I Elites possess constrained belief systems; the general public muchless so

Ideological Innocence

I Belief System: “A configuration of ideas and attitudes in which theelements are bound together by some form of constraint orfunctional interdependence” (Converse)

I Basically, belief system same as ideology

I Constraint: People’s political attitudes are related to each otherbecause they derive from an overarching worldview

I Elites possess constrained belief systems; the general public muchless so

Ideological Innocence

I Belief System: “A configuration of ideas and attitudes in which theelements are bound together by some form of constraint orfunctional interdependence” (Converse)

I Basically, belief system same as ideology

I Constraint: People’s political attitudes are related to each otherbecause they derive from an overarching worldview

I Elites possess constrained belief systems; the general public muchless so

Ideological Innocence

I Belief System: “A configuration of ideas and attitudes in which theelements are bound together by some form of constraint orfunctional interdependence” (Converse)

I Basically, belief system same as ideology

I Constraint: People’s political attitudes are related to each otherbecause they derive from an overarching worldview

I Elites possess constrained belief systems; the general public muchless so

Ideological Innocence

I Converse: Most Americans do not think ideologically, instead thinkalong group interest (e.g., doesn’t like Bush because senior citizenswill lose health care), nature of the times (associate Dems/Repswith good/bad times), or no issue content (e.g., Bush seems like acool guy to have a beer with)

I Main conclusion: Americans do not use liberal to conservativedimension to organize political thinking

I Attitude constraint: Degree to which belief is predictive of anotherbelief, or connected to an overarching ideology

I Converse found very low attitude constraint across 4 domestic issues,and 3 foreign affairs issue. Belief constraint higher among elites

Ideological Innocence

I Converse: Most Americans do not think ideologically, instead thinkalong group interest (e.g., doesn’t like Bush because senior citizenswill lose health care), nature of the times (associate Dems/Repswith good/bad times), or no issue content (e.g., Bush seems like acool guy to have a beer with)

I Main conclusion: Americans do not use liberal to conservativedimension to organize political thinking

I Attitude constraint: Degree to which belief is predictive of anotherbelief, or connected to an overarching ideology

I Converse found very low attitude constraint across 4 domestic issues,and 3 foreign affairs issue. Belief constraint higher among elites

Ideological Innocence

I Converse: Most Americans do not think ideologically, instead thinkalong group interest (e.g., doesn’t like Bush because senior citizenswill lose health care), nature of the times (associate Dems/Repswith good/bad times), or no issue content (e.g., Bush seems like acool guy to have a beer with)

I Main conclusion: Americans do not use liberal to conservativedimension to organize political thinking

I Attitude constraint: Degree to which belief is predictive of anotherbelief, or connected to an overarching ideology

I Converse found very low attitude constraint across 4 domestic issues,and 3 foreign affairs issue. Belief constraint higher among elites

Ideological Innocence

I Converse: Most Americans do not think ideologically, instead thinkalong group interest (e.g., doesn’t like Bush because senior citizenswill lose health care), nature of the times (associate Dems/Repswith good/bad times), or no issue content (e.g., Bush seems like acool guy to have a beer with)

I Main conclusion: Americans do not use liberal to conservativedimension to organize political thinking

I Attitude constraint: Degree to which belief is predictive of anotherbelief, or connected to an overarching ideology

I Converse found very low attitude constraint across 4 domestic issues,and 3 foreign affairs issue. Belief constraint higher among elites

Groups: Source of Belief/Attitude Constraint

I Public support for the fed gov’t to ensure desegregated schools;ensure that African Americans not discriminated against in housingand employment exhibited much higher levels of constraint

I Other schools argue that social groups play such an important rolein society that group-linked political thinking should be consideredideological

I Black political ideology (Dawn & Harris-Lacewell): Range ofpolitical ideology among African Americans that do not map neatlyonto liberal-conservative dimensions, but these ideologies influencepublic opinion

I Key Components of black political ideology: Radical egalitarianism;black nationalism; black feminism; black conservatism; disillusionedliberalism

Groups: Source of Belief/Attitude Constraint

I Public support for the fed gov’t to ensure desegregated schools;ensure that African Americans not discriminated against in housingand employment exhibited much higher levels of constraint

I Other schools argue that social groups play such an important rolein society that group-linked political thinking should be consideredideological

I Black political ideology (Dawn & Harris-Lacewell): Range ofpolitical ideology among African Americans that do not map neatlyonto liberal-conservative dimensions, but these ideologies influencepublic opinion

I Key Components of black political ideology: Radical egalitarianism;black nationalism; black feminism; black conservatism; disillusionedliberalism

Groups: Source of Belief/Attitude Constraint

I Public support for the fed gov’t to ensure desegregated schools;ensure that African Americans not discriminated against in housingand employment exhibited much higher levels of constraint

I Other schools argue that social groups play such an important rolein society that group-linked political thinking should be consideredideological

I Black political ideology (Dawn & Harris-Lacewell): Range ofpolitical ideology among African Americans that do not map neatlyonto liberal-conservative dimensions, but these ideologies influencepublic opinion

I Key Components of black political ideology: Radical egalitarianism;black nationalism; black feminism; black conservatism; disillusionedliberalism

Groups: Source of Belief/Attitude Constraint

I Public support for the fed gov’t to ensure desegregated schools;ensure that African Americans not discriminated against in housingand employment exhibited much higher levels of constraint

I Other schools argue that social groups play such an important rolein society that group-linked political thinking should be consideredideological

I Black political ideology (Dawn & Harris-Lacewell): Range ofpolitical ideology among African Americans that do not map neatlyonto liberal-conservative dimensions, but these ideologies influencepublic opinion

I Key Components of black political ideology: Radical egalitarianism;black nationalism; black feminism; black conservatism; disillusionedliberalism

Summary of Converse’s Work

I Converse’s work led to development and refinement of EliteDemocratic theory. Assumes public is neither engaged in nor wellinformed about politics

I Converse’s work received much attention not well received by allgiven its democratic implications

I Many of Converse’s findings have withstood with passage of time,despite arguments that:

I Political environment of the 1950sI Question wording problemsI Survey method itself not reflective of “real world”

Summary of Converse’s Work

I Converse’s work led to development and refinement of EliteDemocratic theory. Assumes public is neither engaged in nor wellinformed about politics

I Converse’s work received much attention not well received by allgiven its democratic implications

I Many of Converse’s findings have withstood with passage of time,despite arguments that:

I Political environment of the 1950sI Question wording problemsI Survey method itself not reflective of “real world”

Summary of Converse’s Work

I Converse’s work led to development and refinement of EliteDemocratic theory. Assumes public is neither engaged in nor wellinformed about politics

I Converse’s work received much attention not well received by allgiven its democratic implications

I Many of Converse’s findings have withstood with passage of time,despite arguments that:

I Political environment of the 1950sI Question wording problemsI Survey method itself not reflective of “real world”

Summary of Converse’s Work

I Converse’s work led to development and refinement of EliteDemocratic theory. Assumes public is neither engaged in nor wellinformed about politics

I Converse’s work received much attention not well received by allgiven its democratic implications

I Many of Converse’s findings have withstood with passage of time,despite arguments that:

I Political environment of the 1950s

I Question wording problemsI Survey method itself not reflective of “real world”

Summary of Converse’s Work

I Converse’s work led to development and refinement of EliteDemocratic theory. Assumes public is neither engaged in nor wellinformed about politics

I Converse’s work received much attention not well received by allgiven its democratic implications

I Many of Converse’s findings have withstood with passage of time,despite arguments that:

I Political environment of the 1950sI Question wording problems

I Survey method itself not reflective of “real world”

Summary of Converse’s Work

I Converse’s work led to development and refinement of EliteDemocratic theory. Assumes public is neither engaged in nor wellinformed about politics

I Converse’s work received much attention not well received by allgiven its democratic implications

I Many of Converse’s findings have withstood with passage of time,despite arguments that:

I Political environment of the 1950sI Question wording problemsI Survey method itself not reflective of “real world”

Connections Between Ideology and Issues

I Despite Converse’s findings, other scholars have found that ideologycan be predictive of issue stances

I Conservatives more supportive of increased spending onmilitary/defense and crime, tax cuts, and the death penalty

I Liberals more supportive of social welfare policy, environmentalprotection, abortion, and gay rights, and fighting globalwarming/climate change

I Heuristics: a shortcut used to make reasonable policy choices absentdetailed information or ideological thinking

I Knowing a candidate’s Party ID (Democrat, Republican) is aheuristic; knowing that Rush Limbaugh is a right-wing commentatoris a heuristic

Connections Between Ideology and Issues

I Despite Converse’s findings, other scholars have found that ideologycan be predictive of issue stances

I Conservatives more supportive of increased spending onmilitary/defense and crime, tax cuts, and the death penalty

I Liberals more supportive of social welfare policy, environmentalprotection, abortion, and gay rights, and fighting globalwarming/climate change

I Heuristics: a shortcut used to make reasonable policy choices absentdetailed information or ideological thinking

I Knowing a candidate’s Party ID (Democrat, Republican) is aheuristic; knowing that Rush Limbaugh is a right-wing commentatoris a heuristic

Connections Between Ideology and Issues

I Despite Converse’s findings, other scholars have found that ideologycan be predictive of issue stances

I Conservatives more supportive of increased spending onmilitary/defense and crime, tax cuts, and the death penalty

I Liberals more supportive of social welfare policy, environmentalprotection, abortion, and gay rights, and fighting globalwarming/climate change

I Heuristics: a shortcut used to make reasonable policy choices absentdetailed information or ideological thinking

I Knowing a candidate’s Party ID (Democrat, Republican) is aheuristic; knowing that Rush Limbaugh is a right-wing commentatoris a heuristic

Connections Between Ideology and Issues

I Despite Converse’s findings, other scholars have found that ideologycan be predictive of issue stances

I Conservatives more supportive of increased spending onmilitary/defense and crime, tax cuts, and the death penalty

I Liberals more supportive of social welfare policy, environmentalprotection, abortion, and gay rights, and fighting globalwarming/climate change

I Heuristics: a shortcut used to make reasonable policy choices absentdetailed information or ideological thinking

I Knowing a candidate’s Party ID (Democrat, Republican) is aheuristic; knowing that Rush Limbaugh is a right-wing commentatoris a heuristic

Connections Between Ideology and Issues

I Despite Converse’s findings, other scholars have found that ideologycan be predictive of issue stances

I Conservatives more supportive of increased spending onmilitary/defense and crime, tax cuts, and the death penalty

I Liberals more supportive of social welfare policy, environmentalprotection, abortion, and gay rights, and fighting globalwarming/climate change

I Heuristics: a shortcut used to make reasonable policy choices absentdetailed information or ideological thinking

I Knowing a candidate’s Party ID (Democrat, Republican) is aheuristic; knowing that Rush Limbaugh is a right-wing commentatoris a heuristic

Growth of Liberal and Conservative Media

I May contribute to a potential rise in ideological constraint/thinking

I Has led to increased partisan polarization

I Citizens now have many choices for strictly liberal or conservativenews (radio, tv, internet)

I Growth has occurred more on conservative side: Limbaugh; SeanHannity; Bill O’Reilly

I But is increasing on the left with MSNBC: Rachel Maddow, ChrisMatthews

I NPR most “unbiased” news source IMHO

I Misinformation in 2010 Election

Growth of Liberal and Conservative Media

I May contribute to a potential rise in ideological constraint/thinking

I Has led to increased partisan polarization

I Citizens now have many choices for strictly liberal or conservativenews (radio, tv, internet)

I Growth has occurred more on conservative side: Limbaugh; SeanHannity; Bill O’Reilly

I But is increasing on the left with MSNBC: Rachel Maddow, ChrisMatthews

I NPR most “unbiased” news source IMHO

I Misinformation in 2010 Election

Growth of Liberal and Conservative Media

I May contribute to a potential rise in ideological constraint/thinking

I Has led to increased partisan polarization

I Citizens now have many choices for strictly liberal or conservativenews (radio, tv, internet)

I Growth has occurred more on conservative side: Limbaugh; SeanHannity; Bill O’Reilly

I But is increasing on the left with MSNBC: Rachel Maddow, ChrisMatthews

I NPR most “unbiased” news source IMHO

I Misinformation in 2010 Election

Growth of Liberal and Conservative Media

I May contribute to a potential rise in ideological constraint/thinking

I Has led to increased partisan polarization

I Citizens now have many choices for strictly liberal or conservativenews (radio, tv, internet)

I Growth has occurred more on conservative side: Limbaugh; SeanHannity; Bill O’Reilly

I But is increasing on the left with MSNBC: Rachel Maddow, ChrisMatthews

I NPR most “unbiased” news source IMHO

I Misinformation in 2010 Election

Growth of Liberal and Conservative Media

I May contribute to a potential rise in ideological constraint/thinking

I Has led to increased partisan polarization

I Citizens now have many choices for strictly liberal or conservativenews (radio, tv, internet)

I Growth has occurred more on conservative side: Limbaugh; SeanHannity; Bill O’Reilly

I But is increasing on the left with MSNBC: Rachel Maddow, ChrisMatthews

I NPR most “unbiased” news source IMHO

I Misinformation in 2010 Election

Growth of Liberal and Conservative Media

I May contribute to a potential rise in ideological constraint/thinking

I Has led to increased partisan polarization

I Citizens now have many choices for strictly liberal or conservativenews (radio, tv, internet)

I Growth has occurred more on conservative side: Limbaugh; SeanHannity; Bill O’Reilly

I But is increasing on the left with MSNBC: Rachel Maddow, ChrisMatthews

I NPR most “unbiased” news source IMHO

I Misinformation in 2010 Election

Growth of Liberal and Conservative Media

I May contribute to a potential rise in ideological constraint/thinking

I Has led to increased partisan polarization

I Citizens now have many choices for strictly liberal or conservativenews (radio, tv, internet)

I Growth has occurred more on conservative side: Limbaugh; SeanHannity; Bill O’Reilly

I But is increasing on the left with MSNBC: Rachel Maddow, ChrisMatthews

I NPR most “unbiased” news source IMHO

I Misinformation in 2010 Election

Examples of Misinformation by Media Source

Examples of Misinformation by Media Source

Examples of Misinformation by Media Source