Shaping Political Attitudes


Book Description

Recent research in the area of public opinion has focused most of its attention on the effect of the mass media, television in particular, as an influencing agent. The author argues that media effects are only half of the equation; the mass media cannot be seen as the exclusive source of political information. In a model of `total information flow', the media must share the political information environment with interpersonal communication. This volume bridges the gap between media and interpersonal communication and their combined effect on political attitudes and cognition.







The Cultural Logic of Politics in Mainland China and Taiwan


Book Description

This book uses surveys, statistics, and case studies to explain why and how cultural norms affect political attitudes and behavior.




Social Dynamics in Swiss Society


Book Description

Using longitudinal data from the Swiss Household Panel to zoom in on continuity and change in the life course, this open access book describes how the lives of the Swiss population have changed in terms of health, family circumstances, work, political participation, and migration over the last sixteen years. What are the different trajectories in terms of mobility, health, wealth, and family constellations? What are the drivers behind all these changes over time and in the life course? And what are the implications for inequality in society and for social policy? The Swiss Household Panel is a unique ongoing longitudinal survey that has followed a large sample of Swiss households since 1999. The data provide the rare opportunity to go beyond a snapshot of contemporary Swiss society and give insight into the processes in people’s lives and in society that lie behind recent developments.




The Politics Within


Book Description




Deep Roots


Book Description

"Despite dramatic social transformations in the United States during the last 150 years, the South has remained staunchly conservative. Southerners are more likely to support Republican candidates, gun rights, and the death penalty, and southern whites harbor higher levels of racial resentment than whites in other parts of the country. Why haven't these sentiments evolved or changed? Deep Roots shows that the entrenched political and racial views of contemporary white southerners are a direct consequence of the region's slaveholding history, which continues to shape economic, political, and social spheres. Today, southern whites who live in areas once reliant on slavery--compared to areas that were not--are more racially hostile and less amenable to policies that could promote black progress. Highlighting the connection between historical institutions and contemporary political attitudes, the authors explore the period following the Civil War when elite whites in former bastions of slavery had political and economic incentives to encourage the development of anti-black laws and practices. Deep Roots shows that these forces created a local political culture steeped in racial prejudice, and that these viewpoints have been passed down over generations, from parents to children and via communities, through a process called behavioral path dependence. While legislation such as the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act made huge strides in increasing economic opportunity and reducing educational disparities, southern slavery has had a profound, lasting, and self-reinforcing influence on regional and national politics that can still be felt today. A groundbreaking look at the ways institutions of the past continue to sway attitudes of the present, Deep Roots demonstrates how social beliefs persist long after the formal policies that created those beliefs have been eradicated."--Jacket.




Political Psychology


Book Description

Discover the profound influence of psychological theories on political behavior in "Political Psychology," a key volume in Fouad Sabry's "Political Science" series. This essential book explores how cognitive processes, emotions, and social influences shape political attitudes and decisions, offering a deep dive into the psychological roots of political actions. Chapters Highlights: 1: Political Psychology - Introduction to how psychological principles intersect with political behavior. 2: Leadership - Psychological traits and behaviors that define effective political leaders. 3: Power (Social and Political) - Dynamics of power perception and exercise within social and political contexts. 4: False Consensus Effect - The impact of cognitive bias on political views and behavior. 5: Authoritarian Personality - Traits linked to authoritarianism and their effect on political preferences. 6: Social Dominance Orientation - The psychological basis of social hierarchies and its political implications. 7: Right-Wing Authoritarian Personality - Psychological profile of right-wing authoritarianism and its influence. 8: The Authoritarian Personality - Development and political implications of authoritarian traits. 9: Social Dominance Theory - Explanation of social hierarchies from a psychological viewpoint. 10: Machiavellianism (Psychology) - Traits linked to Machiavellianism and their political impact. 11: Organizational Behavior - Application of psychology in political organizations. 12: Raymond Cattell - Cattell’s contributions to personality psychology relevant to political behavior. 13: Personality Development - Influence of personality traits on political attitudes. 14: Selective Exposure Theory - The role of information seeking in political polarization. 15: Self-Esteem Functions - How self-esteem shapes political decisions. 16: Steven Neuberg - Relevance of social cognition research to political behavior. 17: Core Self-Evaluations - Impact of self-evaluations on political attitudes and leadership. 18: Trait Leadership - Traits contributing to effective political leadership. 19: Leadership Analysis - Various leadership models and their political influence. 20: Epistemic Motivation - How epistemic motivation shapes political beliefs. 21: Regality Theory - Links between psychological predispositions and political behavior. "Political Psychology" is an indispensable resource for anyone seeking to understand the psychological factors that influence political dynamics, offering crucial insights for professionals, students, and enthusiasts.




The Nature and Origins of Mass Opinion


Book Description

This 1992 book explains how people acquire political information from elites and the mass media and convert it into political preferences.




American Government 3e


Book Description

Black & white print. American Government 3e aligns with the topics and objectives of many government courses. Faculty involved in the project have endeavored to make government workings, issues, debates, and impacts meaningful and memorable to students while maintaining the conceptual coverage and rigor inherent in the subject. With this objective in mind, the content of this textbook has been developed and arranged to provide a logical progression from the fundamental principles of institutional design at the founding, to avenues of political participation, to thorough coverage of the political structures that constitute American government. The book builds upon what students have already learned and emphasizes connections between topics as well as between theory and applications. The goal of each section is to enable students not just to recognize concepts, but to work with them in ways that will be useful in later courses, future careers, and as engaged citizens. In order to help students understand the ways that government, society, and individuals interconnect, the revision includes more examples and details regarding the lived experiences of diverse groups and communities within the United States. The authors and reviewers sought to strike a balance between confronting the negative and harmful elements of American government, history, and current events, while demonstrating progress in overcoming them. In doing so, the approach seeks to provide instructors with ample opportunities to open discussions, extend and update concepts, and drive deeper engagement.




Political Behavior Theories


Book Description

"Political Behavior Theories: Insights into Political Participation" Explore the dynamics of political behavior with "Political Behavior Theories." This book delves into how personal beliefs and external influences shape political engagement. Here’s a glimpse of what’s inside: Chapters Highlights: - Theories of Political Behavior: Discover frameworks like rational choice and psychological models explaining voting and participation. - Opinion Polls: Understand how polls influence public opinion and electoral results. - Philip Converse: Learn about his groundbreaking work on belief systems. - Voter Turnout: Analyze why some vote while others don’t. - Party Identification: Explore how party loyalty affects behavior. - Political Apathy: Examine why some remain disengaged. - Genopolitics: See how genetics influence political views. - Voting Behavior: Uncover the psychology behind voting choices. - Political Polarization: Investigate how ideological divides impact democracy. - U.S. Political Parties: Study the demographics and evolution of the Democratic and Republican parties. - Political Campaigns: Dissect campaign strategies from speeches to digital ads. - Hispanic and Latino Americans: Explore their role in politics and policy. - Independent Voters: Understand the motivations of swing voters. - LGBT Demographics: Assess how LGBTQ+ citizens engage politically. - Biology and Political Orientation: Look into the genetic and hormonal factors affecting political views. - Michigan Model: Review this classic framework for political behavior. - Sexism in Elections: Analyze gender bias in American politics. "Political Behavior Theories" is more than a book—it's a valuable resource for deepening your understanding of political dynamics and enhancing your decision-making.