TV Can Turn Public’s Dial
With its “If it bleeds, it leads” mentality, local television news has often been accused of feeding its viewers a skewed portrait of a dangerous, frightening world. But a different form of programming...
View ArticleMore Hype Equals Less Action on Climate Change
As Al Gore inaugurates an advertising campaign about the need to combat climate change, two new studies suggest that motivating the American public to take action will be a major challenge. Researchers...
View ArticleThe Short-Attention-Span Electorate
On Nov. 4, after giving the issues serious thought and the candidates careful consideration, the American people will soberly select a new set of leaders. At least, that’s the deliberate way the...
View ArticlePalin, Biden Both Winners
A CBS News survey of 473 uncommitted voters found that following the debate, 53 percent said they now have a better impression of Sen. Joseph Biden. Only 5 percent had a worse opinion, while 42 percent...
View ArticlePeeling Away the Media Reaction to ‘Objectifying Sarah Palin’
Over the few months time we spent on our latest study on the objectification of women in the public eye, our lives as scientists played out normally: • Design the study — Which women should we use to...
View ArticleDoes Biased News Have a ‘Time Bomb’ Effect?
There’s nobody more cynical about the media than your average European. Only 12 percent of Europeans claim to trust the media, compared to 15 percent of North Americans, 29 percent of Pacific Asians...
View ArticleThe Age of Affirmation
When you turn on the evening news, are you actually hoping to learn something? A new study suggests that viewers worldwide turn to particular broadcasters to affirm — rather than inform — their...
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Wording Change Softens Global Warming Skeptics
Are you convinced climate change is real? What about global warming? Yes, that second question is redundant. But new research finds the two labels, which are widely used interchangeably, evoke...
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On Immigration Polls, a Lot of People Lie
A Gallup survey taken last year found 45 percent believe immigration in the United States should be decreased, compared to 17 percent saying it should be increased and 34 percent saying it should be...
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Why a Democracy Needs Uninformed People
Uninformed people catch a lot of flak in society, whether they’re sitting on decision-making committees, choosing a new PTA president, or voting in a national election. Political commentators often...
View ArticleMusicals Have the Power to Change Minds
Broadway musicals are often thought of as lightweight entertainment. In fact, from South Pacific to The Book of Mormon, many of the greatest shows incorporate serious themes and challenge audience...
View ArticleWas Sarah Palin’s Image Hurt By Tina Fey? You Betcha!
The new HBO movie Game Change, which revisits the 2008 presidential campaign, includes a scene in which Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin watches Tina Fey impersonate her on Saturday...
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The Other “Cliff”
As Christmas approaches, the mercury here in Washington, D.C., has been flirting with 70 all month. On the day we decorated our Douglas fir, I went for a run in shorts, no shirt. The trees are...
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Why Politicians Know So Much That Just Isn’t So
Ezra Klein highlighted an interesting recent story in which Republican strategist Mike Murphy said that the GOP would only negotiate with President Obama on budget matters after Obama made two key...
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Why Haven’t Obama’s Scandals Hurt His Approval Ratings?
Last week, Obama’s presidency, long noted for its dearth of major scandals compared to previous administrations, somehow pulled a hat trick. Benghazi, the IRS, and the Associated Press leak stories...
View ArticleScience Denialism Crosses Party Lines
When scientists reach conclusions that challenge our cherished beliefs, do we rethink our positions, or discount the science? In recent years, a number of prominent thinkers have been warning about the...
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Why America Is Holding Back World Action on Climate Change
There’s a lot of land between shining sea and shining sea, and the weather patterns in most parts of this land are very different than the weather patterns in other parts of this land. New research...
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Where Do Latinos Stand on Major Political Issues? Well, It Depends
As the percentage of the voting-age population that is Latino rises, politicians and pundits are paying closer attention to how this demographic feels about the issues. But new research calls into...
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