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AbstractHighly contested energy and environmental policy issues are often characterized by entrenched policy debates and inconsistent or failed policies. This study examines the cognition of polarized policy positions in an effort to explain what factors influence the mental models' individuals use to think about hydraulic fracturing and adopted policy positions on the controversial issue of hydraulic fracturing. The study first examines the role of affect on the use of "cognitive policy images" or the individual‐level mental models used to represent policy positions on hydraulic fracturing using structural topic modeling. Next, regression analysis is used to estimate the effects of theoretically relevant factors on cognition. While previous studies have focused on public attitudes, this study takes a comparative approach to examine policy elite and public cognition around this controversial issue. A comparative approach not only points to subtle differences in how elites and members of the general public cognitively process this controversial policy issue but also provides some insight into how political sophistication factors into cognition and influences policy positions on hydraulic fracturing practices. Conclusions discuss some practical, methodological, and theoretical implications of this work.

Recently, a controversial policy debate has arisen concerning the installation of high‐voltage power lines in northwest Arkansas. While proponents argue that such an installation is inevitable to efficiently and reliably support the identified electric load in the region, opponents claim that the lines will degrade the natural environment and hamper the tourism‐based local economy in affected regions, notably in Ozark Mountain areas. Of particular interest is to understand how local policy elites perceive the benefits and risks associated with such divisive proposals, which is critical for comprehending the formation and changes of related government policies. Based upon the dual process theory of judgment, this study systematically investigates the triadic relationships between (a) more profound personal value predispositions, (b) affects and feelings, and (c) perceived benefits and risks related to the proposed installation of high‐voltage power lines among local policy elites in the state of Arkansas. In doing so, we analyze original data collected from a statewide Internet survey of 420 local leaders and key policymakers about their opinions on the related issues, while considering other factors claimed by previous literature to influence risk perceptions, including trust, knowledge level, and demographic characteristics. Analytical results suggest that grid‐group cultural predispositions, as deeply held core values within local policy elites' individual belief systems, both directly and indirectly—through affective feelings—shape perceived utility associated with the installation of high‐voltage power lines. We conclude this article by suggesting some practical considerations for better designing policy addressing controversial issues of this nature.

AbstractThe Health Belief Model (HBM), a value‐expectancy model, is a leading framework in health behavior and communication research. The model is intended to inform targeted communication strategies that promote positive health behaviors. Individual beliefs associated with health risks such as perceived susceptibility and perceived severity are often incorporated into HBM as predictors of health behavior. However, recent studies point to limitations of the current model. At the same time, researchers have successfully used Cultural Theory (CT) to conceptualize, measure, and predict the cultural influences on health risk management. This study applies OLS regression and graphical analysis to examine the relationship between more intrinsic cultural value‐based beliefs and HBM beliefs so as to understand behavioral intentions associated with COVID‐19 among the general public in the United States while statistically controlling for the effects of partisanship and demographic factors.

The debate over an installation of high‐voltage power lines (HVPLs) has been intense, particularly in northwest Arkansas. Detractors claim that the installation will negatively affect both the natural environment and the local economy, which contains a large tourism component. By contrast, those in favor of installing HVPLs claim that the installation is necessary in order to reliably support the increasing demand for electric power. Using original data collected from a recent statewide Internet survey of 420 local policy elites in Arkansas, this article focuses on two key aspects. First, we examine how local policy elites' perceptions of risks versus benefits of HVPL installation in their communities are influenced by their levels of trust toward information provided by various sources (e.g., energy industry, environmental groups, and government). Second, we utilize cultural theory to explain how the cultural worldviews of policy elites––specifically, egalitarianism, individualism, hierarchism, and fatalism––shape these levels of trust and HVPL benefit‐risk perceptions, while controlling for other factors claimed by previous literature, including levels of knowledge on energy‐related issues and demographic characteristics. In general, our analysis indicates that policy elites' value‐oriented formation of HVPL benefit‐risk perceptions is partially due to the influence cultural values have on trust in information sources. We conclude this article by discussing broader implications for the origin and role of trust in policy elites' decisions throughout the policy‐making process.