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Policy Mood and Political Sophistication: Why Everybody Moves Mood

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  • ENNS, PETER K.
  • KELLSTEDT, PAUL M.

Abstract

This article presents evidence that both micro (individual level) and macro (aggregate level) theories of public opinion overstate the importance of political sophistication for opinion change. It is argued that even the least politically sophisticated segment of society receives messages about the economy and uses this information to update attitudes about political issues. To test this hypothesis, the authors have used General Social Survey data to construct a 31-item measure of policy mood, disaggregated by political sophistication, that spans from 1972 to 2004. They found that all the subgroups generally changed opinion at the same time, in the same direction, and to about the same extent. Furthermore, they show that groups at different sophistication levels change opinions for predominantly the same reasons.

Suggested Citation

  • Enns, Peter K. & Kellstedt, Paul M., 2008. "Policy Mood and Political Sophistication: Why Everybody Moves Mood," British Journal of Political Science, Cambridge University Press, vol. 38(3), pages 433-454, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:bjposi:v:38:y:2008:i:03:p:433-454_00
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    Cited by:

    1. Robert Brulle & Jason Carmichael & J. Jenkins, 2012. "Shifting public opinion on climate change: an empirical assessment of factors influencing concern over climate change in the U.S., 2002–2010," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 114(2), pages 169-188, September.
    2. Thomas J. Hayes, 2014. "Do Citizens Link Attitudes with Preferences? Economic Inequality and Government Spending in the “New Gilded Age”," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 95(2), pages 468-485, June.
    3. John J. Laureto & Joshua M. Pearce, 2016. "Nuclear Insurance Subsidies Cost from Post-Fukushima Accounting Based on Media Sources," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(12), pages 1-16, December.

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