Public Opinion, Political Attitudes, and Ideology

David L. Weakliem

Bettina Adalin

Roy Vincent B. Guardados

Public Opinion

Osborne and Rose: the aggregate view held by the entire adult population

Blumer:views and positions on the

issue that come to the individuals who have to act

Before 12th century

public opinion was used as:

(2) opinions of public-spirited persons

(1) opinions of knowledgeable persons

(3) opinions that were expressed publicly

Political Attitudes

Erikson and Tedin: predispositions that underlie

specific opinions

Note: In this chapter, no distinction between opinions and attitudes

Ideology

Mannheim: entire categories of thought and ways of thinking that color how actors see the

world around them

Values

Rockeach: qualities that a person

regards as desirable and important

Approaches to Public Opinion Research

SOCIOLOGICAL

• Individual level:

- Politics reflect social conditions and processes

- Social characteristics determine political preference.

POLITICAL

• Individual level:

– Politics and political thought are autonomous

• Societal level:

- Societal conditions affect political opinions

• Societal level:

- Institutional factors affect political opinions

1950s and 1960s Research

(2) Michigan Studies

(3) Social Cleavages

(1) Columbia Studies

Columbia Studies

Social interaction is important in shaping political alignments.

Berelson, Lazasfeld, and McPhee

1940 Presidential Campaign

Routine personal contact with family, neighbours, co-

workers and other acquaintances had

predominant influence, instead.

Campaign had little effects on voting choices.

Michigan Studies

Campbell, Converse, Miller, andStokes:

“the concepts important to ideological analysis are useful

only for that small segment of the population that is equipped to

approach political decisions at a rarefied level”

Michigan Studies

Converese:Considered ideology in terms of

“attitude constraint” or the correlations among different

political opinions.

People approached different issues in a piecemeal fashion rather than applying a general

philosophy.

Social Cleavages

“cross pressures:”

some people might follow their class or religion, avoid at some compromise or avoid politics

entirely

Public opinion would be influenced by the composition of

the population and pattern of contact among groups.

Social Cleavages

Interclass contact: has more influence on the lower class because upper class has greater prestige and resources

Intraclass contact: exchange of political information and opinions is greater among the

upper class

Economic Development and Public Opinion

Inglehart: Affluence is usually associated

with liberal views:

(1) more tolerant of differences in religion and lifestyle

(2) increased acceptance of gender equality

(3) less respect for traditional authority

Economic Development and Public Opinion

Inglehart: As material needs are satisfied,

people pay more attention to “postmaterial” concerns:

(1) freedom

(2) aesthetics

(4) self-esteem

(3) sense of belonging

Ideology and Framing

Luskin, Fishkin and Jowell: “deliberative poll”

ordinary people are able to critically evaluate new information and arguments – they do not simply

adhere to their prior beliefs or adopts the views of a trusted

authority

Framing

An angle or perspective of a problem.

Schemas

Kulklinski, Luskin andBolland:

Not just a set of beliefs, but also includes rules for

processing new information and arguments

Public Opinion and Policy

Burstein: Public opinion has a direct

effect on policy.

Public Opinion shapes the Policies.

SPEED LIMIT

Speed Limit: 10 Kph.

That’s way too slow! Okay, I’ll change it

to 30Khp.

Public Opinion and Policy

It affects most types of policy, although there may be some difference in the

strength of influence.

Public Opinion and Policy

Blumer: public opinion

“views and positions on

the issue that come to the individuals

who have to act.”

Legalization of Marijuana

Ateneo De Davao University

60%Agreed

40%Disagreed

RESULT OF THE

SURVEY

Policy Feedback

A policy could lead the public to

redefine their interests and

identities in ways that undermine,

enhance, or alter the bases of

support for that policy.

Example:

Redefining Interest:

From: Driving FastTo: Thinking for Safety

Policy Feedback

The idea of policy feedback is connected to the vague

concept of political “coalitions”

(1) a coalition is a collection of groups that gives relatively high support to a party or policy; a group of people who regarded themselves as sharing basic interests(3) they will support even if they derive not immediate benefits

Russian LGBTs Protest against PUTIN

Policy Feedback

Wlezien: Thermostatic Model :

government responds to public opinion but often

overshoots it, causing the public to move in the

opposite direction

Conclusion

Public Opinion is shaped by various

factors.

(1) Predispositioned attitudes

(2) Ideology and framing,

(3)Values

(4) Schemas

We may utilize Public Opinion, by effectively influencing policies for a creation of a better

life.