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.