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ETD Abstract Container

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The consequences of ambivalent political attitudes

Gwiasda, Gregory W
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1117418522

Abstract Details

2005, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Political Science.
Public opinion scholars agree that individuals can hold ambivalent political attitudes; that is, they can simultaneously see reasons to support and oppose an issue or candidate. However, two questions on the consequences of ambivalent attitudes have been little studied. Does ambivalence about candidates induce people to seek more information; and second, do ambivalent attitudes make individuals more likely to abstain in elections. To answer these questions, I draw upon existing National Election Studies survey data, original experimental analysis and a panel survey of undergraduate students conducted in the spring of 2004. My findings indicate that ambivalent individuals do not seek out additional information about candidates, but rather process and store the information they encounter differently than do those who are not ambivalent. I also find that ambivalence increases the likelihood of abstention in two-candidate races, but increases the likelihood of voting for independent candidates when that option is available. The latter finding that ambivalent individuals often opt to abstain in elections is particularly noteworthy, as it raises questions about the extent to which our political system is truly representative of the public will.
Thomas Nelson (Advisor)
270 p.
Political Science, General
ambivalence; abstention; information seeking; political psychology; third party support

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Gwiasda, G. W. (2005). The consequences of ambivalent political attitudes [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1117418522

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Gwiasda, Gregory. The consequences of ambivalent political attitudes. 2005. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1117418522.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Gwiasda, Gregory. "The consequences of ambivalent political attitudes." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2005. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1117418522

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1117418522
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© 2005, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.
Release 3.2.12