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A Theory of Preference Formation Among Ideologues and Nonideologues

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  • Natalie M. Jackson

Abstract

type="main"> This article addresses the differences in belief systems that drive how moderates and ideologues form their policy preferences. The model put forth posits that while ideologues rely on ideological and partisan cues to form their preferences and respond to survey questions, moderates default to a more primitive source of their worldviews. This project uses an anthropological operationalization of cultural worldview to test the model by analyzing the relationships between culture, ideology, and policy preferences for moderates and ideologues separately. Results indicate that the model is supported: moderates rely more heavily on their cultural views while forming and reporting their policy preferences, whereas ideologues rely primarily on their ideological views to form and report policy preferences. There is evidence that partisans and moderates think about their views in fundamentally different ways, which is not fully accounted for in typical models of political behavior.

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  • Natalie M. Jackson, 2015. "A Theory of Preference Formation Among Ideologues and Nonideologues," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 96(1), pages 1-18, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:socsci:v:96:y:2015:i:1:p:1-18
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1111/ssqu.12136
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    1. Dan M. Kahan & Hank Jenkins-Smith & Donald Braman, 2011. "Cultural cognition of scientific consensus," Journal of Risk Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 14(2), pages 147-174, February.
    2. Johanna Dunaway & Regina P. Branton & Marisa A. Abrajano, 2010. "Agenda Setting, Public Opinion, and the Issue of Immigration Reform," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 91(2), pages 359-378, June.
    3. Joseph T. Ripberger & Geoboo Song & Matthew C. Nowlin & Michael D. Jones & Hank C. Jenkins-Smith, 2012. "Reconsidering the Relationship Between Cultural Theory, Political Ideology, and Political Knowledge," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 93(3), pages 713-731, September.
    4. Wildavsky, Aaron, 1987. "Choosing Preferences by Constructing Institutions: A Cultural Theory of Preference Formation," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 81(1), pages 3-21, March.
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