"Americans are disgusted with watching politicians screaming and yelling at one another on television. But does all the noise really make a difference? Drawing on numerous studies, Diana Mutz provides the first comprehensive look at the consequences of in-your-face politics. Her book contradicts the conventional wisdom by documenting both the benefits and the drawbacks of in-your-face media."--Dust jacket flap.
Drawing on examples from across the social sciences, this book offers the information you need to know to plan, implement, and analyze the results of population-based survey experiments. Suitable for social scientists across the disciplines, it reexamines issues of internal and external validity.
Focusing on the dynamics of political discourse, the book explores how interactions with differing political views can impact individuals and society. It delves into empirical research on the effects—both beneficial and detrimental—of engaging with opposing perspectives. By examining these interactions, the work sheds light on the complexities of fostering dialogue across political divides and the implications for political theorists and everyday citizens alike.
How Perceptions of Mass Collectives Affect Political Attitudes
Exploring the impact of societal perceptions, this book delves into how individuals are influenced by the collective opinions surrounding them. It examines the psychological and social dynamics at play, revealing how these perceptions shape behaviors, beliefs, and decision-making processes. Through various examples and insights, the narrative highlights the importance of understanding the power of public opinion in personal and communal contexts.
Winners and Losers challenges conventional wisdom about how American citizens form opinions on international trade. While dominant explanations in economics emphasize personal self-interest - and whether individuals gain or lose financially as a result of trade - this book takes a psychological approach, demonstrating how people view the complex world of international trade through the lens of interpersonal relations. Drawing on psychological theories of preference formation as well as original surveys and experiments, Diana Mutz finds that in contrast to the economic view of trade as cooperation for mutual benefit, many Americans view trade as a competition between the United States and other countries - a contest of us versus them. These people favor trade as long as they see Americans as the "winners" in these interactions, viewing trade as a way to establish dominance over foreign competitors. For others, trade is a means of maintaining more peaceful relations between countries. Just as individuals may exchange gifts to cement relationships, international trade is a tie that binds nations together in trust and cooperation. Winners and Losers reveals how people's orientations toward in-groups and out-groups play a central role in influencing how they think about trade with foreign countries, and shows how a better understanding of the psychological underpinnings of public opinion can lead to lasting economic and societal benefits. -- Provided by publisher