Winter 2005 RAP
Presentation Schedule:
January 26th
Corwin Smidt
"Campaigns, Information, and Voting: An Analysis of the 2000 Campaign"
(Download a Copy)
Abstract: Instead of simply deciphering whether campaigns matter, research needs to distinguish in what exact ways campaigns influence behavior. This paper argues campaigns create measurable effects in voting behavior through the provision of information. Using data from the 2000 Annenberg National Election Study to calculate a measure of campaign-specific information levels across the campaign, the results show increases in voters’ information levels created significant changes in how voters formulated a choice for president. In line with existing theory, higher levels of information increased the impact of voters’ ideology, but the extent to which these information effects are different from results a priming model of campaigns might expect is debatable. In general, the campaign’s provision of information appears to have robust and distinct measurable effects, where further study should examine and clarify these underlying mechanisms.
February 16th
Tom Nelson
"Delegitimizing Values"
Abstract: Social values are an important foundation of political attitudes, yet political controversies often embody conflicts between treasured values, placing the citizen in an awkward position of trying to prioritize. One possible strategy is to consider the groups that are symbolically associated with the competing values. Groups held in high esteem will elevate associated values; groups held in disregard will diminish associated values. I further argue that persuasive communicators recognize and exploit this process by attacking the reputation of groups that have been publicly associated with certain issue positions or values. One tactic to accomplish this is by portraying a group as "extreme" or "radical". Even if the group represents a consensus value like equal opportunity, the "extremist" label suggests the
group's agenda embodies an excessive an uncompromising imposition of this value.
My talk will present results from two experiments that offer both support and qualifications to this argument. I will conclude by presenting a proposal for further experiments and inviting feedback from audience members.
March 9th
Charles Smith
TBA
