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Questions and Answers
Which of the following is a trait that conservatives tend to score lower on?
Which of the following is a trait that conservatives tend to score lower on?
Which of the following tasks are conservatives likely to perform worse on, based on the provided information?
Which of the following tasks are conservatives likely to perform worse on, based on the provided information?
What type of words do conservatives tend to prefer, according to the text?
What type of words do conservatives tend to prefer, according to the text?
Under what condition are people, according to Eidelman et al. 2012 study, more likely to express politically conservative views?
Under what condition are people, according to Eidelman et al. 2012 study, more likely to express politically conservative views?
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A heightened 'need for certainty' is associated with which of the following?
A heightened 'need for certainty' is associated with which of the following?
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Which of the following is a belief that conservatives tend to score HIGHER on?
Which of the following is a belief that conservatives tend to score HIGHER on?
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Which of the following is most likely to increase the expression of conservative views according to the text?
Which of the following is most likely to increase the expression of conservative views according to the text?
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What does the text suggest about the relationship between intoxication and political views?
What does the text suggest about the relationship between intoxication and political views?
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According to the provided definition, what is the primary focus of an ideology?
According to the provided definition, what is the primary focus of an ideology?
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Which of the following best describes the contrasting views of the left and right regarding social change?
Which of the following best describes the contrasting views of the left and right regarding social change?
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Which of the following is NOT an influence on the development of a person's political ideology?
Which of the following is NOT an influence on the development of a person's political ideology?
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How does the content characterize the difference between the left and the right regarding foreign policy?
How does the content characterize the difference between the left and the right regarding foreign policy?
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According to the content, which factor is LEAST likely to influence an individuals political ideology?
According to the content, which factor is LEAST likely to influence an individuals political ideology?
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What does the information suggest about the role of 'identity groups' in shaping political ideology?
What does the information suggest about the role of 'identity groups' in shaping political ideology?
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The content mentions conservatives and their views on immigration. Which of the following best represents their typical stance?
The content mentions conservatives and their views on immigration. Which of the following best represents their typical stance?
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What does the content suggest about the relationship between religion and political ideology?
What does the content suggest about the relationship between religion and political ideology?
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Which of the following is NOT identified as an influence of existential needs on conservatism?
Which of the following is NOT identified as an influence of existential needs on conservatism?
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According to the content, what percentage range indicates the heritability of a position on the left-right political spectrum?
According to the content, what percentage range indicates the heritability of a position on the left-right political spectrum?
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Which of the following is presented as a physiological/biological trait that can predict political ideology?
Which of the following is presented as a physiological/biological trait that can predict political ideology?
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What ratio of liberal to conservative identifying professors in psychology is stated in the content?
What ratio of liberal to conservative identifying professors in psychology is stated in the content?
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The content suggests that a disproportionate number of liberals in social psychology may lead to what potential issue?
The content suggests that a disproportionate number of liberals in social psychology may lead to what potential issue?
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According to the content, what could be undermined by the liberal biases in social psychology?
According to the content, what could be undermined by the liberal biases in social psychology?
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What is presented as the 'blindspot' regarding the claim that conservatives are more prejudiced?
What is presented as the 'blindspot' regarding the claim that conservatives are more prejudiced?
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What does the content suggest about the origin and potential basis of political ideology?
What does the content suggest about the origin and potential basis of political ideology?
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How do communities that depend on specific markets tend to react during elections?
How do communities that depend on specific markets tend to react during elections?
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What should voters avoid rewarding according to the rational voter model?
What should voters avoid rewarding according to the rational voter model?
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What was one finding from the Healy, Malhotra, & Mo (2010) study regarding sporting wins?
What was one finding from the Healy, Malhotra, & Mo (2010) study regarding sporting wins?
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What kind of events have been shown to influence politics according to Achen and Bartels (2016)?
What kind of events have been shown to influence politics according to Achen and Bartels (2016)?
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What conclusion can be drawn about voters' behavior from the (Ir)Rationality Debate?
What conclusion can be drawn about voters' behavior from the (Ir)Rationality Debate?
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What is the Rational Voter View regarding policy choices?
What is the Rational Voter View regarding policy choices?
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According to the irrational voter perspective, how are people's policy positions related to their values?
According to the irrational voter perspective, how are people's policy positions related to their values?
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What elements does Cohen (2003) indicate could affect participants' perceptions of welfare policies?
What elements does Cohen (2003) indicate could affect participants' perceptions of welfare policies?
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According to the content, which moral values do liberals tend to prioritize?
According to the content, which moral values do liberals tend to prioritize?
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What is a key characteristic of misinformation?
What is a key characteristic of misinformation?
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What is one effect of deliberation when trying to reduce susceptibility to misinformation?
What is one effect of deliberation when trying to reduce susceptibility to misinformation?
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What is the main concept behind 'prebunking' or inoculation against misinformation?
What is the main concept behind 'prebunking' or inoculation against misinformation?
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According to the content, which approach was used to inoculate people against the Oregon Global Warming Petition?
According to the content, which approach was used to inoculate people against the Oregon Global Warming Petition?
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What is one potential way of reducing misinformation's appeal, as mentioned in the content?
What is one potential way of reducing misinformation's appeal, as mentioned in the content?
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According to the provided content, how effective is inoculation against misinformation when administered after misinformation exposure?
According to the provided content, how effective is inoculation against misinformation when administered after misinformation exposure?
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What does 'moral reframing' in political persuasion involve?
What does 'moral reframing' in political persuasion involve?
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What do rational voter models suggest about voters' choices in elections?
What do rational voter models suggest about voters' choices in elections?
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What is a key aspect of Economic Voting Theory?
What is a key aspect of Economic Voting Theory?
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What does the concept of 'voting their pocketbooks' refer to?
What does the concept of 'voting their pocketbooks' refer to?
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Which of the following is NOT a core tenet of the Rational Voter Model?
Which of the following is NOT a core tenet of the Rational Voter Model?
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Which of the following factors is considered when assessing how voters behave under Rational Voter Models?
Which of the following factors is considered when assessing how voters behave under Rational Voter Models?
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In the context of voting behavior, which option best describes the term 'ideological asymmetry'?
In the context of voting behavior, which option best describes the term 'ideological asymmetry'?
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What is a potential outcome of reducing affective polarization?
What is a potential outcome of reducing affective polarization?
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What is a potential factor that could contribute to irrational voting behavior?
What is a potential factor that could contribute to irrational voting behavior?
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Study Notes
Political Cognition
- The study presentation discusses political cognition, analyzing the rationality of voters.
- It differentiates between "politics" and "political behavior."
- Politics encompasses the structures and processes of government (e.g., parliament, executive, judiciary).
- Political behavior involves actions and choices made by citizens (e.g., voting, protests, activism).
Today's Agenda: Political Psychology
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Debate 1 focuses on rational vs. irrational voters.
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Pocketbook voting is considered.
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The influence of irrational events on voting is explored.
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Expressive utility is a key concept in this debate.
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Debate 2 examines ideological symmetry vs. asymmetry.
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Evidence for left-right ideological differences is presented.
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The presentation discusses blind spots and caveats in these analyses.
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Strategies for reducing polarization (affective and ideological) are proposed.
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Misinformation is also identified as a factor to consider.
How do people make political judgments?
- The debate centers on rational vs. irrational voters.
- Deliberative and dispassionate decision-making is contrasted with biases and factors outside the voter's awareness.
The "Rational Voter" Model of Political Behavior
- A perspective on how people make political decisions highlights the rational voter.
- Voters are self-interested actors who try to achieve positive outcomes for themselves by choosing the candidates and policies that bring about these outcomes.
- "Rational voters" are defined by two tenets explained by Wolfers (2002).
- First tenet: voters reward competency (i.e., politicians who deliver what they promise).
- Second tenet: voters do not reward luck, (i.e., favorable outcomes beyond a politician's control).
"Rational Voter" Models of Political Behavior (Continued)
- One compelling test is whether voters "vote their pocketbooks."
- Supporting evidence shows voters are sensitive to economic conditions when making voting decisions, particularly regarding local economic conditions, not just national ones.
- Voters are influenced by acts of God (e.g., droughts, floods, cold fronts, shark attacks)
"Rational Voter" Models of Political Behavior (continued)
- Assessing Tenet #2: Voters should NOT reward luck.
- Irrelevant events over which politicians have no control should not influence their vote.
- Healy, Malhotra, & Mo 2010: Studies show political outcomes are influenced by sporting events
Initial Conclusions in the (Ir)Rationality Debate
- Voters reward competence, reelecting politicians who facilitate positive economic outcomes.
- Yet, voters also reward (and punish) politicians for luck, unrelated to their policy decisions, (e.g., good/bad luck with sporting events).
Another Test for the Rational Voter: Choosing policies that align with our values
- Voters hold deeper, abstract social and political values, (e.g. favoring tradition or social change).
- These values should guide an individual's political policy choices
- However, political positions may not always align with expressed values.
The (Ir)Rational Voter: Cohen, 2003
- Participants chose between two welfare policies differing in stringency.
- Policy choices corresponded to participants' political leanings.
- Voter preference was influenced by which party was deemed to support a given policy.
So far we have seen...
- Voters exhibit a mix of rationality and irrationality in their choices.
- The concept of "expressive utility" can help explain the inconsistency.
- Downs, 1957, provides initial framework on how to understand voters as self-interested actors.
"Ideology"
- Ideologies are combinations of consistent beliefs and values.
- These values cohere into distinct groups.
- These ideologies are informed by deeper values (e.g. traditionalism, universalism, achievement, security).
- Ideologies represent beliefs about the proper order of society.
The Left-Right Divide
- Political ideologies are presented as dividing along specific policy positions.
- The positions cover issues such as social change, immigration, punishment, and foreign policy, often categorized as progressive (left) or conservative (right).
- Specific political parties and countries are placed within this framework.
What factors determine the political ideology that a person develops / adopts?
- A variety of factors determine an individual's political ideology.
- Key factors include socialization, elite rhetoric, personal beliefs, and individual perspectives on issues such as material gain or religion.
- An individual's region (urban/rural, north/south) is also a factor.
- Jost et al (2003) suggests that a person's political ideology can also be influenced by personality traits.
Political Polarization
- Political polarization is a central concept discussed throughout the lecture series.
Changing Political Behaviour: Polarization
- Reminding people of "out-party" friends helps reduce polarization.
- Correcting misperceptions of the opposing political party helps reduce polarization.
- Simple contact between opposing groups can reduce polarization.
Changing Political Behaviour: Misinformation
- Misinformation is defined as information initially presented as true, but later shown to be false.
- This can be due to factual error or intentional propaganda.
Changing Political Behaviour: Misinformation (Continued)
- Effective tactics for mitigating misinformation include:
- Providing counterarguments to false information, or refutations by a source perceived credible to the target.
- Moving people out of “System 1” thinking and into “System 2” (more deliberate) thinking, particularly through deliberation.
- Making real news (or misinformation debunking) seem interesting or fun.
- Providing compelling alternative or contrast information.
Changing Political Behaviour: Misinformation (Continued)
- Inoculation (or prebunking): Introducing weakened doses of the falsehood to lessen susceptibility.
- This method must be introduced before exposure to the falsehood.
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Description
Test your understanding of the traits and beliefs associated with conservative political views. This quiz covers key concepts from political psychology, including ideology, certainty, and social change. Challenge yourself to see how well you know the psychological factors that influence political beliefs.
