Articles tagged with Public Opinion
Researchers found that childhood adversity can reshape an individual's moral development, leading to a 'deformative experience' that pulls them away from their true nature. This asymmetric sensitivity to life history information affects judgments of praise and blame.
A national survey found that few US adults recognize climate change has a disproportionate impact on socially and economically disadvantaged groups. Despite broad scientific consensus, many people believe climate change affects all groups equally or do not perceive its impacts at all.
A team of medical leaders recommends a sustainably funded public-private partnership to combat misinformation, citing challenges faced by the TIOS-VY organization. The American College of Physicians calls for modernizing public health infrastructure, including increased funding and addressing disinformation, especially on social media.
A new study by New York University sociologist Victoria Asbury-Kimmel reveals that Democrats hold uniformly positive views on immigrants, whereas Republicans have both negative and positive opinions. The study found that Democrats interpret pro-immigrant messages as factual, while Republicans tend to see them as opinion-based. Converse...
A survey of 2,000 German adults found that people with higher levels of empathy and cosmopolitanism are more likely to prioritize sharing vaccine supplies internationally. The study suggests that there is substantial public support for international vaccine solidarity when infection rates are at a modest level and falling.
Researchers developed a validated test to measure misinformation susceptibility, finding younger adults and those spending more time online are worse at identifying false headlines. The study used AI-generated fake headlines and found that social media and political affiliation were significant factors in susceptibility.
A new experimental study suggests that adding 'trust' and 'distrust' buttons to social media platforms could significantly reduce the spread of misinformation. Incentivizing accuracy led to a large reduction in the amount of false posts being shared, with users more likely to share true information to gain trust reactions.
A recent study found that adolescents across various ages, genders, and geographies are aware of and concerned about the potential impacts of abortion restrictions. The study, led by Dr. Bianca A. Allison, used a nationwide text message poll to gather responses from over 800 adolescents between 14-24 years old.
A new study found that US public support for redeemability of Black offenders is high, with 70-80% agreement on offender reform being possible and valued. Racial sympathy and White nationalism significantly influence beliefs in redemption and condemnation of Black offenders.
A recent study by Iowa State University researchers highlights the varying approaches of NGOs in Turkey and Bulgaria when communicating with the public about migration. Turkish NGOs tend to use a one-way communication mode, while those in Bulgaria are more innovative and engaging, emphasizing personal stories. The findings suggest that...
A new study by University of Cambridge researchers found that offering tiny cash rewards for accuracy can increase people's ability to distinguish between misinformation and the truth. The study suggests that fake news thrives due to a motivational imbalance, where users have more incentive to get clicks than to spread accurate content.
Researchers found that trust in federal, state, and local public health agencies was driven by beliefs in scientific expertise and provision of direct care, not control of outbreaks. Lower trust was related to concerns about conflicting recommendations and perceived political influence.
A 21-person commission of public health experts calls for networked communities sharing accurate vaccine information to counter misinformation. The US has seen a surge in anti-vaccine activism, leading to vaccine hesitancy and increased illnesses.
Over 3,700 Chinese adults advocate for government and personal responsibility in addressing climate change. The surveys highlight the need for China to assume a leading role in global efforts to combat climate change.
A new study found widespread support for second look sentencing, with respondents backing the approach regardless of age. Factors such as petitioners' intent to reform and victim support increased support for release. The study suggests that releasing reformed individuals can reduce costs and enhance public safety.
A new study reveals a strong relationship between attitudes on abortion and race, with those holding low racial resentment scores more likely to support abortion rights. The researchers found this connection has grown stronger in recent years, regardless of partisan affiliation.
A study of over 2,500 U.S. respondents found that most would remove posts spreading misinformation about democratic elections, vaccinations, the Holocaust, and climate change. Characteristics like topic, severity, and repetition had a stronger impact on decisions than account characteristics.
A Yale University-led study reveals that Chinese public opinion on ivory became more negative after the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) allowed the sale of African ivory to China. The research used machine learning techniques to analyze public opinion from Chinese media coverage b...
A recent study found that individuals with conservative political leanings tend to favor hydroxychloroquine and view vaccination unfavorably. Physicians also exhibit similar biases, with conservative physicians being more likely to prescribe hydroxychloroquine. The study suggests that education alone may not be enough to combat polariz...
A new study found that foreign interference in American elections can reduce faith abroad in the United States as a trustworthy ally. Japanese citizens' trust in the US was higher when informed that US democracy is functioning versus not. The findings highlight the international security implications of successful electoral interference.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that faces paired with fake news headlines are perceived as trustworthy regardless of disputed labels. The research suggests that long-term perceptions of trustworthiness are more influenced by the content of the headline rather than the label itself.
New research reveals that people in CNM relationships report experiencing a negative stigma that takes a toll on their psychological distress. A thematic analysis of survey responses identified four themes: discomfort/disapproval, loss of resources/threatening behavior, devaluation/diminishing of character/relationship.
A new study published in The Journal of Rural Health found that urban men who have sex with men (MSM) are more likely to get vaccinated and tested for Mpox than their rural counterparts. The study also revealed that rural MSM perceived themselves as less susceptible to the disease and had lower intention to be vaccinated.
A national study found that Americans are moving to regions with the greatest risk of wildfires and significant summer heat, despite climate change projections. The top migration destinations were cities in the Pacific Northwest, parts of the Southwest, Texas, Florida, and the Southeast, which already face significant wildfire risks.
A pre-pandemic conspiratorial mindset was associated with hesitance to accept COVID-19 vaccines, a new study suggests. Individuals who held conspiracy theories prior to the pandemic were more likely to believe in COVID-19 conspiracy theories and report hesitancy to be vaccinated.
A new study from The Primals Project at the University of Pennsylvania challenges the long-held assumption that conservatives see the world as more dangerous than liberals. Instead, researchers found that both conservatives and liberals view the world as similarly dangerous, with a hierarchical worldview playing a significant role in s...
Recent media releases from UK government agencies and NHS organizations lack objectivity and provide unbalanced information on prescription-only medicines. The Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin expresses concerns over the use of hyperbolic language and omission of key information about potential harms and benefits.
A new study by Tokyo University of Science researchers reveals that overconfidence in one's ability can lead to a desire for income equality, but with nuances. Participants who experienced a gap between their income and self-evaluated ability were more likely to support reducing income inequality, particularly among left-wing individuals.
The Wasatch Transportation Academy provides community members with knowledge and tools to get involved in transportation decision-making. Key findings include a high degree of satisfaction among participants, who reported increased engagement in various transportation-related activities after taking part in the academy.
A new study analyzing YouTube comments found that fans of a celebrity will often continue to support them despite immoral acts. The study used language-processing algorithms to analyze comments on Logan Paul's videos before and after a scandalous incident in which he shared a video of a dead body.
The study found that a booster shot's effectiveness is the primary factor influencing people's willingness to receive it. Those who believe in vaccine efficacy are more likely to accept the booster shot, especially if it is made by Moderna or Pfizer. A partisan divide persists, with Democrats more willing and Republicans less willing.
A new UCL-led study found that most British adults support stricter tobacco regulations, including banning sales near schools and raising the legal age to 21. The survey of over 1,700 adults in England and Scotland showed strong majority support for these policies.
A new study by the University of Central Florida reveals that workers in countries with greater income inequality are more likely to perceive robots and artificial intelligence as job threats. This association was found despite the potential benefits of these technologies to improve work and increase flexibility.
Researchers identify four bases of anti-science beliefs: distrust in scientific sources, group identity, conflicting messages, and cognitive style. Politicization and social media amplify these factors, making it harder for people to accept scientific evidence. Strategies like acknowledging valid concerns and finding common ground can ...
A new study from Iowa State University found that people's likelihood of eating or avoiding gene-edited foods is primarily driven by their social values and trust in government and industry. Around 60% of women surveyed said they would avoid gene-edited foods.
A recent study by ICTA-UAB researchers found that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a shift in public expectations, with many citizens becoming more pessimistic about future climate action. However, some respondents expressed positive views on the impact of COVID-19 on consumption habits and environmental awareness.
A new study by NYU researchers found that neoliberal policies and institutions are associated with a preference for greater income inequality across over 160 countries. The analysis, which spanned 25 years (1995-2019), suggests that economic systems can shape human psychology to favor higher levels of income inequality.
A new study found that a brief befriending-themed meditation can reduce affective polarization between Remain and Leave voters in the UK. The meditation increased perceived commonality between sides, suggesting a potential strategy to address polarization.
A new study found that naming legislation after a victim increases support for the law and its associated punishment, with notable benefits for laws named after African American women. The study used distracted driving as an example and surveyed a national sample of 1,000 U.S. adults.
A study from the University of Illinois Chicago explores key themes and topics from COVID-19 vaccine-related tweets, identifying changes in public attitudes towards vaccination and concerns about effectiveness. The research provides insights for policymakers to frame policies and programs to accelerate vaccine uptake.
A new mathematical model predicts a significant shift in US public opinion on moral issues, with abortion rights expected to dominate. Within 15 years, a majority of Americans will support equal parental leave.
A new study from Brown University's Policy Lab found that text-message vaccination campaigns work better when sent early, as all state residents ages 16 and up had been eligible for a shot four weeks before the campaign. Despite this, the messages' ineffectiveness was due to poor timing rather than the content.
Researchers from Tohoku University used agent-based simulation to visualize consensus building around geothermal power plant development in Japan. The model demonstrated how diverse opinions of stakeholders converge to a consensus, with factors such as stakeholder attributes, locations, and influential individuals affecting opinion for...
A study found that people in Germany and the US prioritize equal access to COVID-19 vaccines worldwide. In contrast, vaccine distribution according to a country's production capacity or free market regulation received little support. The research highlights the public's willingness to share vaccines despite logistical challenges.
Researchers at EPFL and ETH Zurich propose a rational explanation for the deaths of nine hikers in 1959, attributing their injuries to a small slab avalanche. The team's work was met with intense media attention and criticism from conspiracy theorists before being accepted by the Russian scientific community.
A new study by Cornell University's Landon Schnabel found that women are now as likely as men to report working because they want to, not just out of necessity. The gender gap in preferring to work is closing, except for pockets of the most religiously active Americans.
A special issue of Criminology & Public Policy examines the effects of the George Floyd protests on the criminal justice system. Studies focus on policy changes, police institutional change, and public attitudes surrounding defunding the police.
The workshop aims to provide tangible techniques for effectively communicating scientific results to general audiences. Researchers conducted surveys to understand the decline in public trust in science, citing insufficient science education and disinformation campaigns as key factors.
A survey study found that 71% of respondents support increased transparency in the FDA drug approval process. Public support for or opposition to transparency measures was assessed in this study.
A significant minority of Americans who morally oppose abortion would provide emotional support and logistical assistance to a friend or family member seeking an abortion, but may not financially contribute. The study's findings have implications for the Texas law that allows individuals to sue those who aided or abetted the procedure.
Researchers found that fact checks are a more effective counter to COVID-19 misinformation than false news tags. The study, published in Public Opinion Quarterly, tested the impact of fact checks and false tags on public perception of false claims about the pandemic.
A new study from the University of Georgia found that Americans are more supportive of military action in foreign countries when the US has existing defense treaties with those nations. The research suggests that public opinion can be shaped by how leaders frame international commitments, particularly in relation to NATO alliances.
A new analysis of public opinion data found that Americans' attitudes and behaviors have become more liberal overall in the past 50 years, particularly on issues like gay rights and civil liberties. However, views on polarizing issues such as abortion, guns, and taxes remain unchanged.
A new study found that people who see artists as collaborators in their local communities are more likely to support public funding for artists. The researchers also discovered that individuals with liberal views, blacks, Hispanics, and those with a college education are more supportive of public funding.
A study by Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona found that spending revenues on climate projects increases social acceptability of carbon taxes. The research also revealed that providing information on carbon taxes can increase acceptability, while the perception of fairness is a stronger factor in acceptability than effectiveness.
A study by Ohio State University researchers found that only half of Americans surveyed believe sports teach love of country, while men, heterosexuals, Christians and Republicans were more likely to agree. Surprisingly, some lower-status groups were also more likely to recognize these messages.
A study by Hokkaido University researchers found that Japanese customers prefer traditional restaurants displaying an older year of establishment, leading to improved evaluations and intentions to visit. This effect was observed specifically for traditional foods like soba noodles.
A study from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business found that conservatives with low conscientiousness are more likely to share misleading information. Conscientiousness plays a significant role in determining whether people share misinformation, regardless of political beliefs or social media usage.
A survey of 1,000 people in five Southeast Asian countries found that more than half were against nuclear energy development. The study suggests that trust in entities and risk perceptions are key factors influencing public opinion on nuclear energy.
Consumer definitions of sustainability differ from industry definitions, affecting perception and purchase intent. Consumer perspectives consider multiple factors like packaging, animal welfare, organic status, and grass-fed systems, with some associating terms like 'organic' with healthier practices.