| ID | 102562 |
| Title Proper | Deservingness versus values in public opinion on welfare |
| Other Title Information | the automaticity of the deservingness heuristic |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Peterson, Michael Bang ; Slothuus, Rune ; Stubager, Rune ; Togeby, Lise |
| Publication | 2011. |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | Public attitudes towards welfare policy are often explained by political values and perceptions of deservingness of welfare recipients. This article addresses how the impact of values and perceptions varies depending on the contextual information that citizens have available when forming welfare opinions. It is argued that whenever citizens face deservingness-relevant cues in public debate or the media, a psychological 'deservingness heuristic' is triggered prompting individuals spontaneously to think about welfare policy in terms of who deserves help. This is an automatic process, equally influential among the least and the most politically sophisticated. Moreover, when clear deservingness cues are present, the impact of values on opinions vanishes. These arguments are supported by data from two novel experimental studies embedded in separate nationwide opinion surveys. The findings revise conventional wisdom of how values and heuristics influence public opinion and have major implications for understanding dynamics in aggregate welfare opinion and attempts from political elites to manipulate public opinion. |
| `In' analytical Note | European Journal of Political Research Vol. 50, No. 1; Jan 2011: p.24-52 |
| Journal Source | European Journal of Political Research Vol. 50, No. 1; Jan 2011: p.24-52 |
| Key Words | Welfare ; Public Opinion ; Welfare Policy ; Conventional Wisdom |