ScienceDaily: Political Science News

Learning to recycle: Does political ideology matter?

Tue, 14 May 2013 11:27:27 EDT

Some targeted messages based on political orientation are more effective at persuading consumers to recycle according to a new study.

Environmental labels may discourage conservatives from buying energy-efficient products

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:16:16 EDT

When it comes to deciding which light bulb to buy, a label touting the product's environmental benefit may actually discourage politically conservative shoppers.

Voter optimism wanes in run-up to election day

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 21:08:08 EDT

Voters who remain optimistic about their candidate or cause up to Election Day -- despite negative news about the chances of victor -- are more motivated to vote but also more disappointed if things don’t turn out their way.

Extreme political attitudes may stem from an illusion of understanding

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:05:05 EDT

Having to explain how a political policy works leads people to express less extreme attitudes toward the policy, according to new research.

The politics of climate change

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:05:05 EDT

US residents who believe in the scientific consensus on global warming are more likely to support government action to curb emissions, regardless of whether they are Republican or Democrat, according to a new study.

Study reveals alcohol industry tactics to influence alcohol policy reform in Scotland

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 17:27:27 EDT

The alcohol industry misrepresented international evidence on effective alcohol control measures in an attempt to influence the Scottish Government's public health policy to its advantage, according to new research.

Optimism can lead to unrealistic voter expectations in elections

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 13:27:27 EDT

A new study looks at optimism and knowledge influence voter expectations in the weeks leading up to an election.

Escalating cost of forest conservation

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 08:51:51 EDT

In the face of unprecedented deforestation and biodiversity loss, policy makers are increasingly using financial incentives to encourage conservation.

Politicians found to be more risk-tolerant than the general population

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 08:51:51 EDT

According to a recent study, the popularly elected members of the German Bundestag are substantially more risk-tolerant than the broader population of Germany.

Magical survey shows voters are less partisan than indicated by polls

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 07:54:54 EDT

Traditional opinion polls may severely underestimate the openness for political change among voters, according to new research.

Suicide risk linked to rates of gun ownership, political conservatism

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 06:40:40 EDT

Residents of states with the highest rates of gun ownership and political conservatism are at greater risk of suicide than those in states with less gun ownership and less politically conservative leanings, according to a new study.

Volunteers in UK show little enthusiasm for the Big Society, research finds

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 07:29:29 EDT

People who are carrying out the aims of the Big Society -- those doing voluntary work -- show little enthusiasm for the UK Prime Minister's idea, new research says.

For Wikipedia users, being 'Wikipedian' may be more important than political loyalties

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 20:02:02 EDT

Wikipedia users who proclaim their political affiliations within the online community consider their identity as "Wikipedian" stronger than potentially divisive political affiliations, according to new research.

Survey shows many Republicans feel America should take steps to address climate change

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 12:50:50 EDT

In a recent survey of Republicans and Republican-leaning Independents, a majority of respondents (62 percent) said they feel America should take steps to address climate change. More than three out of four survey respondents (77 percent) said the United States should use more renewable energy sources, and of those, most believe that this change should begin immediately.

Language used in immigration debates may be as important as the policies

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 07:55:55 EDT

The language activists and politicians use in immigration debates may be as important as the policies they are debating when it comes to long-term effects, according to the author of a new study in the April issue of the American Sociological Review.

Young women do not want to run for office, experts say

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 15:10:10 EDT

There is a serious gender gap in women's interest versus men's interest in running for elected office which will likely persist for generations, experts say.

How school report cards can backfire

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 09:40:40 EDT

In the wake of President Obama's "college scorecard," new research finds that government attempts to grade educational institutions can backfire when done for political or policy purposes.

Moments of spirituality can induce liberal attitudes, researchers find

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 13:15:15 EST

People become more politically liberal immediately after practising a spiritual exercise such as meditation, researchers have found.

Researchers find appointed justices outperform elected counterparts

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 12:10:10 EST

State supreme court justices who don't face voters are generally more effective than their elected counterparts, according to new research.

Red brain, blue brain: Republicans and Democrats process risk differently, research finds

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 17:31:31 EST

A team of political scientists and neuroscientists has shown that liberals and conservatives use different parts of the brain when they make risky decisions, and these regions can be used to predict which political party a person prefers. The new study suggests that while genetics or parental influence may play a significant role, being a Republican or Democrat changes how the brain functions.

Name-brand or generic? Your political ideology might influence your choice

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 13:19:19 EST

Conservatives and liberals don't just differ when it comes to politics, they may also make different purchases at the grocery store, according to new research.

Tendency to fear is strong political influence

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 12:37:37 EST

Fear can play a role in influencing political attitudes on hot-button issues like immigration, according to new research. The study shows that individuals who are genetically predisposed to fear tend to have more negative out-group opinions, which play out politically as support for policies like anti-immigration and segregation.

Blowing hot and cold: U.S. belief in climate change shifts with weather

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 08:30:30 EST

A study of American attitudes toward climate change finds that local weather -- temperature, in particular -- is a major influence on public and media opinions on the reality of global warming.

Health departments hindered in addressing health concerns from animal production sites, study finds

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 09:45:45 EST

State and local health departments face significant barriers and usually do not get involved when confronted with public health concerns resulting from food animal production sites, according to a new study.

Why some immigrants get citizenship: Country of origin 'massive disadvantage' for some, research in Switzerland shows

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 11:20:20 EST

A methodologically innovative study of European immigrants suggests that, other qualifications being equal, migrants from certain countries may be roughly 40 percent less likely than others to gain citizenship.

New study examines post-Roe v. Wade arrests of and forced interventions on pregnant women

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 10:58:58 EST

A new study looks at criminal and civil cases in which a woman's pregnancy was a deciding factor leading to deprivations of her physical liberty.

Integrated neglected tropical disease control and elimination programs: A global health 'best buy'

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 08:49:49 EST

A recently released report highlights links between neglected tropical diseases and socio-economic prosperity.

Efforts to correct false beliefs about health care reform may backfire

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 11:16:16 EST

Efforts to correct false beliefs about health care reform may backfire, depending on individuals' political views and level of knowledge, suggests a new study.

Exposure to conspiracy theories can be detrimental for political engagement and environmental campaigns

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 09:01:01 EST

New research has revealed that exposure to conspiracy theories decreases people’s intentions to engage in politics and to reduce their carbon footprint.

Ways to improve quality of care measurement from electronic health records identified

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 15:35:35 EST

Health care providers and hospitals are being offered up to $27 billion in federal financial incentives to use electronic health records (EHRs) in ways that demonstrably improve the quality of care. The incentives are based, in part, on the ability to electronically report clinical quality measures. By 2014, providers nationwide in the U.S. will be expected to document and report care electronically, and by 2015, they will face financial penalties if they don't meaningfully use EHRs.

Youth attitudes about guns: Sixty percent of high school and college students consider gun ownership in future

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 17:20:20 EST

Sixty percent of high school and college students consider gun ownership in the future. Key findings revealed in poll based on personality traits, video games, gender, race, and political affiliation.

Ozone levels have sizeable impact on worker productivity

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 15:32:32 EST

Researchers assessed the impact of pollution on agricultural worker productivity using daily variations in ozone levels. Their results show that ozone, even at levels below current air-quality standards in most parts of the world, has significant negative impacts on worker productivity. Their findings suggest that environmental protection is important for promoting economic growth and investing in human capital in contrast to its common portrayal as a tax on producers.

More similar than they think: Liberals and conservatives exaggerate perceived moral views

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 20:56:56 EST

Moral stereotypes about "typical" liberals and conservatives held by both groups are generally correct, but exaggerated both for their own group and the other, according to new research.

Economists calculate true value of 'who' you know, rather than 'what' in US politics

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 09:26:26 EST

Economists have calculated the true value of US political lobbyists, proving the old adage ‘it is not what you know, but who you know’.

Conservatives can be persuaded to care more about environmental issues when couched in terms of fending off threats to 'purity'

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 16:37:37 EST

When it comes to climate change, deforestation and toxic waste, the assumption has been that conservative views on these topics are intractable. But new research suggests that such viewpoints can be changed after all, when the messages about the need to be better stewards of the land are couched in terms of fending off threats to the "purity" and "sanctity" of Earth and our bodies.

Attitudes towards security threats uncovered

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 09:36:36 EST

New research has revealed a significant gap between what the government claims are the biggest security threats facing the UK and the fears of the population.

Women in congress outperform men on some measures

Sun, 18 Nov 2012 14:14:14 EST

A professor has found congresswomen consistently outperform their male counterparts on several measures of job performance.

Partisanship shapes views on political, non-political issues

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 13:52:52 EST

A pre-election survey found that party affiliation alters how people react to political as well as non-political issues, including how individuals assess their own financial well-being. The results suggest that partisanship is often a substitute for knowledge and personal experience, researchers said.

Republicans and Democrats can agree on some moral issues, study suggests

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 19:19:19 EST

A new study that asked U.S. conservatives and liberals to rate the most influential historical figures of the 20th Century finds that the two sides of America's "culture wars" share a surprising level of common moral ground. While the study reaffirms some conflicts between Republicans and Democrats – Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger divided participants most – it also offers new advice for bridging the political gap on controversial social issues, such as abortion and reproductive rights.

Comedian's political humor affects potential voter's attitudes about candidates

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 19:59:59 EST

Comedians publicly ridiculing a presidential candidate may cause audiences to have negative attitudes toward that individual, according to a new study.

Not so fast: Economic growth will be steady no matter who's the next president

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 14:00:00 EST

There’s no doubt that the economy is the deciding factor for many voters. Americans are looking to presidential candidates for a fast remedy, but the reality will be far less immediate, according to economists.

Open mouth means closed mind: Behavior of U.S. Supreme Court justices predicts their votes

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 11:45:45 EST

New research shows that U.S. Supreme Court justices use oral argument to convince their fellow justices of their own views of the case under consideration.

How presidential candidates' actions speak louder than their words

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 11:45:45 EST

Scientists have released a comprehensive computerized study of the body language of the major-party U.S. presidential candidates, using expertise of computer scientists and body language experts at both universities.

Difficult-to-read font reduces political polarity, study finds

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 15:19:19 EDT

Liberals and conservatives who are polarized on certain politically charged subjects become more moderate when reading political arguments in a difficult-to-read font, researchers report in a new study. Likewise, people with induced bias for or against a defendant in a mock trial are less likely to act on that bias if they have to struggle to read the evidence against him.

This is your brain on politics: Neuroscience reveals brain differences between Republicans and Democrats

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 10:50:50 EDT

New research provides fresh evidence that choosing a candidate may depend largely on our biological make-up. That's because the brains of self-identified Democrats and Republicans are hard-wired differently and may be naturally inclined to hold varying, if not opposing, perceptions and values. This study showed a strong link with broad social connectedness with Democrats, and a strong link with tight social connectedness with Republicans

Grading and supporting U.S. education: Study examines consequences of international comparisons

Mon, 29 Oct 2012 10:35:35 EDT

K-12 schools in the United States are often criticized for falling behind their counterparts in other countries, but a new study suggests that this “negative spin” does not increase public support for spending more to improve the nation’s schools.

How the negative trumps the positive in politics

Fri, 26 Oct 2012 08:46:46 EDT

Negatively framed political attitudes ("I don't like Romney") are stronger than positively framed attitudes ("I like Romney"), and this effect is strengthened when people think more deeply about the issues involved.

How does social media help young adults become politically active?

Fri, 26 Oct 2012 08:43:43 EDT

Young adults speaking out about their political beliefs on websites, such as Facebook or blogs, are more likely to participate in public affairs, according to a new study.

Traumatic consequences long after fall of the Berlin Wall

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 09:54:54 EDT

One in three former political prisoners of the German Democratic Republic still suffers from sleeping disorders, nightmares and irrational fear. Researchers reveal these post-traumatic stress disorders in a study -- the first to examine the post-traumatic consequences in former political prisoners over a period of 15 years.

Wall Street gets it wrong on presidential politics, experts say

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 16:47:47 EDT

A new study debunks the conventional wisdom of how political elections impact the stock market: Presidential affiliation has little impact; gridlock is bad for the market; Fed policy is more important than politics.

For presidential candidates, image may trump debate issues, experts say

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 16:46:46 EDT

The wide swings in debate performances by this year’s presidential candidates reflect the fact that in modern campaigns, a candidate’s image is the message, according to linguistic anthropologists who have studied presidential campaigns. Candidates send important messages to voters through even their smallest gestures, the researchers say.

When negative political ads work

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 12:48:48 EDT

Televised political advertising takes up a large portion of campaigns budgets. Much of it is spent on negative political ads. A new study shows that a negative political ad is most effective when it's shown in moderation. The findings reveal that massive exposure to a negative ad has a backlash effect on the evaluation of the sponsor candidate.

Voter ID debate: Do photo ID requirements promote security or suppress participation?

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 09:05:05 EDT

Will new voting laws, including photo ID requirements, create barriers to voting? Will they impose an unequal burden on participation by some groups of American voters? Are they justified by the need to prevent voting fraud and promote election integrity? Expert views and contrasting opinions on the need for and potential impact of these new state laws are presented in two new articles.

Health care history through humor

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 19:22:22 EDT

Featuring more than 200 examples of the century's best political art, a new history of health care reform provides an entertaining review of 100 years of partisan wrangling over medical insurance.

Parenting and temperament in childhood predict later political ideology

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 16:26:26 EDT

Political mindsets are the product of an individual's upbringing, life experiences, and environment. But are there specific experiences that lead a person to choose one political ideology over another? New research suggests that parenting practices and childhood temperament may play an influential role in shaping political ideology later in life.

Obama has better leadership skills, survey shows

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 10:26:26 EDT

A new survey that evaluated the leadership skills of President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney has found that Obama scored significantly better than Romney in most leadership categories and in overall leadership skill.

Debate reactions measured in real time

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 09:29:29 EDT

Researchers are measuring audience reactions to the debates live, second-by-second, using state-of-the-art technology. For the final debate, they will have people from the community participate. The research center will have 10 Republicans and 10 Democrats, a mix of men and women, watch and rate the debate performance in real time.

Presidential debates offer body language tips for job interviews

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 09:29:29 EDT

Considering President Barack Obama and GOP nominee Mitt Romney are seeking the nation’s top job, watching Monday’s Presidential debate could be just the prep needed to ace your next job interview. While pointing fingers, interrupting and smirking are never recommended in a professional setting, job seekers can learn a lot from the candidates’ speech and body language.

Election 2012: Will voters follow their 'gut feelings' at polls?

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 13:39:39 EDT

Americans going to the polls generally pull the lever based on one thing: their gut feelings, says a presidential politics expert.

Technology has improved voting procedures

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 13:09:09 EDT

Thanks to better voting technology over the last decade, the country's election process has seen much improvement, according to a new report. However, the report notes, despite this progress, some problems remain.