A unified theory of value-based reasoning and U.S. public opinion

Goren, P., Schoen, H., Reifler, J., Scotto, T. and Chittick, W. (2016) A unified theory of value-based reasoning and U.S. public opinion. Political Behavior, 38(4), pp. 977-997. (doi: 10.1007/s11109-016-9344-x)

Abstract

Public opinion research shows that American citizens utilize domain-specific political values to guide opinion formation in the key issue areas that comprise the American political agenda. One set of political values operates on economic welfare opinions, a different set of values applies to cultural issue positions, a third set shapes foreign policy preferences, and so on in other policy domains. Drawing on Shalom Schwartz’s theory of basic human values, this paper argues that two socially focused values—self-transcendence and conservation—guide opinion formation across all major policy domains. By contrast, the personally focused values of self-enhancement and openness-to-change should play a more limited role in preference formation. These hypotheses are tested using data from a novel 2011 national survey and the 2012 General Social Survey. The statistical results affirm expectations. We show that self-transcendence and conservation values predict scores on symbolic ideology, economic conservatism, racial conservatism, cultural conservatism, civil liberties, and foreign policy opinions. Self-enhancement and openness-to-change values play a modest role in shaping preferences.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Scotto, Professor Thomas
• Authors: Goren, P., Schoen, H., Reifler, J., Scotto, T., and Chittick, W.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences
• Journal Name: Political Behavior
• Publisher: Springer
• ISSN: 0190-9320
• ISSN (Online): 1573-6687
• Published Online: 06 May 2016
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2016 Springer Science+Business Media
• First Published: First published in Political Behavior 38(4): 977-997
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy