An experimental study of the influence of religious elites on public opinion

McKeown, Bruce; Carlson, James M.

doi:10.1080/10584609.1987.9962812

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Although far from perfect, the data represent responses from real congregants experiencing real political cues from their own congregation leaders. This provides a very different environment for evaluating the effect of clergy political messages, when compared to telephone surveys, experimental manipulations, or student convenience samples (Calfano and Djupe 2009; McKeown and Carlson 1987; Sears 1986; Djupe and Gwiasda 2010). The data here provide a look at how the effects of providential beliefs are conditioned by clergy political cues in the context of sermons delivered over a long period of time, which may or may not be heard or remembered by congregants.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bridging Religion and Politics: The Impact of Providential Religious Beliefs on Political Activity

Glazier

2015

Politics and Religion

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Past research shows that religious beliefs can shape political activity. Yet current literature leaves open many questions about the mechanisms at work. I point to the key role of a particular religious belief found across denominations: providentiality, or the belief that God has a plan that humans can further. When these beliefs are connected to politics, providential believers are likely to be active and dedicated participators. I test this notion using survey data collected during the 2012 election campaign from congregants in Little Rock, Arkansas. In general, providential believers are less likely than their non-providential counterparts to participate in politics. However, when providential believers report hearing political sermons from their clergy, they are significantly more likely to participate. These findings illustrate one pathway by which religious beliefs can influence politics: through a cue that links providentiality and politics.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bridging Religion and Politics: The Impact of Providential Religious Beliefs on Political Activity

Glazier

2015

Politics and Religion

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“…Yet despite the growing trend of religious appeals in political campaigns, scant work has appeared at the individual level to assess the effects of those appeals. Furthermore, extant research has only investigated religious appeals from male sources (Calfano and Djupe 2009; Djupe and Calfano 2009; McKeown and Carlson 1987). The question we address in this article, therefore, is whether the gender of the source affects the reception and translation of religious campaign appeals.…”

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confidence: 99%

Not in His Image: The Moderating Effect of Gender on Religious Appeals

Calfano

Djupe

2011

Politics and Religion

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Religious appeals have been part and parcel of campaign strategy for decades. Most often, however, these appeals to have come from men, but little is known about howwomenwould fare using religious appeals on the campaign trail. To remedy this, we used an experimental design to examine voter reaction to religious appeals from a female and a male candidate competing for an open United States Senate seat. We find that women's use of religious appeals is governed by the dynamics of tokenism — reinforcing traditional gender stereotypes and serving to reduce voter support of the female candidate. This suggests that women must be careful in using a key campaign tool traditionally employed by men, and that this may affect the extent to which female candidates can effectively shape voter perceptions on the campaign trail.

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“…Studies (Davidson, 1989; Wald, 1992) suggested, moreover, that the change in Catholic opinion was short lived, as Catholic opinion merged with non‐Catholic opinion on defense issues within two years of the peace pastoral. Addressing this issue experimentally, McKeown and Carlson (1987) found that Catholic college students were no more likely than evangelical Protestant students to adopt positions on a number of issues consistent with the bishops' pastoral letters when the source was attributed to “the American Catholic Bishops” than otherwise. Overall, the research that addresses directly the influence of the U.S. bishops on Catholic opinion suggests that this influence is limited at best.…”

Section: Religious Elites and Influence On Mass Opinionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Pope John Paul II and Catholic Opinion Toward the Death Penalty and Abortion^*

Mulligan¹

2006

Social Science Quarterly

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Objective. Research on opinion leadership examines the convergence of opinion between elites and masses on issues of public policy. I examine the confluence of opinion between Pope John Paul II and American Catholics on the death penalty and legalized abortion. Method. I use data from three nationally representative opinion surveys and one statewide survey conducted prior to John Paul's death. Results. The results support the supposition that Catholics who esteemed the pope are more negative in their evaluations of the death penalty and abortion. Conclusions. John Paul II, as leader of the Catholic Church, may have influenced Catholic opinion on political issues.

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An experimental study of the influence of religious elites on public opinion

Cited by 6 publications

References 6 publications

Bridging Religion and Politics: The Impact of Providential Religious Beliefs on Political Activity

Bridging Religion and Politics: The Impact of Providential Religious Beliefs on Political Activity

Not in His Image: The Moderating Effect of Gender on Religious Appeals

Pope John Paul II and Catholic Opinion Toward the Death Penalty and Abortion^*

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An experimental study of the influence of religious elites on public opinion

Cited by 6 publications

References 6 publications

Bridging Religion and Politics: The Impact of Providential Religious Beliefs on Political Activity

Bridging Religion and Politics: The Impact of Providential Religious Beliefs on Political Activity

Not in His Image: The Moderating Effect of Gender on Religious Appeals

Pope John Paul II and Catholic Opinion Toward the Death Penalty and Abortion*

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Product

Resources

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Pope John Paul II and Catholic Opinion Toward the Death Penalty and Abortion^*