THE EFFECT OF TAKING ISSUE POSITIONS ON RATINGS OF POLITICAL CANDIDATES

In: Political psychology: journal of the International Society of Political Psychology, Band 2, Heft 3/4, S. 20-34

Abstract

TWO HYPOTHESES ARE TESTED HERE: (1) A CONDIDATE WHO DOES NOT TAKE ISSUE STANDS WILL BE RATED MORE FAVORABLY BY POTENTIAL VOTERS THAN CANDIDATES WHO ANNOUNCE POSITIONS; AND (2) A CANDIDATE WHO ALWAYS TAKES POPULAR SIDE OF AN ISSUE WILL BE RATED MORE FAVORABLY THAN CANDIDATES WHO ADOPTED EITHER CONSISTENTLY LIBERAL OR CONSERVATIVE POSITIONS. HYPOTHESIS (1) WAS CONFIRMED; (2) IS MORE AMBIGUOUS