There is a traditional understanding that if someone experiences a threatening event, their attitudes and beliefs will change. Some scholars predict that a threat will cause someone to become more conservative on a variety of issues or that they will become more extreme in their attitudes.
Reviewed by Danielle Ellis, B.Sc.Aug 18 2023 However, a new study from researchers at Michigan State University and Tilburg University found that Americans' political attitudes did not change significantly during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, contrary to what many expected.
The onset of the pandemic was a major event that affected nearly every aspect of life. Political attitudes are often attitudes about how society should work and the rules and procedures that best guide society. One intuitive prediction is that if society changes, our political attitudes should also change. But that didn't happen. This suggests that people's attitudes are pretty resistant to changes, even when the conditions of society radically change.
Across the 84 attitudes, only 18 shifted in either the conservative or liberal direction -; and these changes were small. For example, 3.5% of respondents did become more opposed to trade with China, while 11% of people became more supportive of unemployment benefits, and 14% became supportive of economic stimulus.
"We hope that this study helps social scientists understand how attitudes respond to real-world events so they can make better predictions in the future," said Brandt. "We also hope that this information helps people recognize how difficult attitude change can be. Things like attitude and cultural change do not seem to be the product of one large event but, instead, take time, effort and coordination among people from across society."Journal reference:Turner-Zwinkels, F. M.
Danmark Seneste Nyt, Danmark Overskrifter
Similar News:Du kan også læse nyheder, der ligner denne, som vi har indsamlet fra andre nyhedskilder.
A peek at Big Pharma’s playbook that leaves many Americans unable to afford their drugsAmerica's pharmaceutical giants are suing this summer to block the federal government's first effort at drug price regulation.
Læs mere »
Sanditon is no BridgertonThe Americans were right to save Andrew Davies's drama
Læs mere »
What the Inflation Reduction Act has achieved in the year since its passageBig investments in green energy and health care have gone unnoticed by most Americans
Læs mere »
What the Inflation Reduction Act has achieved in its first yearBig investments in green energy and health care have gone unnoticed by most Americans
Læs mere »
Ultra-mutated Covid variant that's 'the real deal' may be spreading across UKThe new sub-variant called BA.6 by scientists is causing concern, with one expert dubbing the strain the 'real deal' as cases spread.
Læs mere »
A-level student who lost year to long Covid wins university placeJake Zibe, 18, crammed two years of studying into one after he was left with severe fatigue.
Læs mere »