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Lying about what you believe

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  • Lying about what you believe

    There is increasing talk about what effect will an increasing phenomena known as the "shy voter" will have on the coming election. Shy voters are usually described as those who feel pressured to say one thing publicly but vote entirely differently in private.

    It is believed to have played a major role in the Brexit vote and Trump's victory in 2016 which the polls got horribly wrong. People will lie to a pollster working with an organization that openly mocks and derides those they disagree with.

    Generally studies looking into this find that it is folks who possess conservative opinions who lie to pollsters and others the most having seen people get fired for expressing such views or having the government sic the FBI on them as "domestic terrorists."

    New research is indicating that this is especially true among Millennials who everyone thinks are so reliably liberal, but it looks like that is not the case.

    Source: Why Americans are concealing their true political beliefs


    As the midterm elections quickly approach, Americans across the country are discussing their thoughts on trending policy topics with family, friends and colleagues. Just how truthful they are in those conversations, however, is now a reasonable question to consider. A new study from Populace Insights shines light on how deeply American adults are affected by social pressure to fit in, especially when it comes to hot-button political issues.

    The report’s findings suggest that American popular culture, and the desire to fit into it, makes the American people look far more politically extreme than they really are. The study uses a clever methodology to measure agreement with statements that people might feel social pressure to reject, even in a private online survey. Differences between stated and privately held opinions were as high as 14 percentage points among all Americans and soared even higher among certain subgroups.

    Millennials, who have spearheaded the progressive left in the last decade but recently transitioned from youthful activism to the responsibilities of parenthood, are privately much more conservative when it comes to education issues. Three-quarters privately believe parents should have more influence on school curriculums (+26 points compared to their public opinion) and have significantly more private doubts about racism and gender ideology being taught in schools.

    Additionally, the youngest voters, those under 30, are privately rejecting ideals that are frequently associated with their generation. Just one-in-four privately believe CEOs should take public stances on social issues. What’s more, privately, the belief that racism in built into America drops from 65 percent to 42 percent. The way voters, including this youngest set, privately shy away from the most progressive beliefs may be part of the reason President Biden’s net approval rating fell 7 points during the week in which he announced a wealth-redistributing student loan forgiveness plan.

    That is not to say real differences don’t exist between different age cohorts or political parties, because they do. But within the safety of an individual’s mind, almost every issue takes a step away from the accepted view of a self-prescribed tribe: Republicans are less set on overturning Roe v. Wade and have more reservations about turning the internet into a completely unregulated free speech zone. Democrats are less enthusiastic about masking to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and half as likely to think colleges should censor speech.

    Although many staunch partisans take a step back from the party line in their heads, their publicly pronounced stances have created an environment where independents, as well as certain racial minorities, are the least comfortable sharing their views in public, according to the study’s key findings. It is telling that one of the smallest differences between public and private opinions among various demographic subgroups comes when asking people if they have avoided saying something they believe for fear of offending someone. Half of Americans recall such an instance in the past year.

    Perhaps this chilling environment helps explain why trust in American institutions has plummeted in recent years. If our society has created an environment where people do not feel free to share their opinions, the default expectation may now be that everyone is hiding something. It might also explain the rise of political candidates of otherwise questionable experience and ability that have been successful with a simple “say it like it is” campaign strategy.

    Unfortunately, there is no way to legislate people into being honest in conversations about current affairs. This problem must fall to civil society. One of the easiest things individuals can do is stop using politics as a litmus test for friendships and other social interactions.

    Despite many articles encouraging people to embrace tribalism and cut out the “others” from our lives, psychologists have found that making friendship contingent on matching political views is not compatible with the strong relationships humans need to flourish. In solid friendships, individuals will have the intimacy needed to share true opinions, which improves the lost art of tolerating disparate views. In this way, we will be able to find common ground and rebuild trust in individuals and institutions that may not act according to our preferred political beliefs.



    Source

    © Copyright Original Source









    I'm always still in trouble again

    "You're by far the worst poster on TWeb" and "TWeb's biggest liar" --starlight (the guy who says Stalin was a right-winger)
    "Overall I would rate the withdrawal from Afghanistan as by far the best thing Biden's done" --Starlight
    "Of course, human life begins at fertilization that’s not the argument." --Tassman

  • #2
    Generally speaking, I am less open about my opinions and positions compared to 5 to 10 years ago. To my perception, there has been a definite chilling of tolerance for positions that disagree.
    "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." Hosea 6:6

    "Theology can be an intellectual entertainment." Metropolitan Anthony Bloom

    Comment


    • #3
      Interesting article.

      I am curious, though, what the author means by: "It might also explain the rise of political candidates of otherwise questionable experience and ability that have been successful with a simple “say it like it is” campaign strategy." Without one or more examples, such a statement comes across as superfluous at best, and snooty. I honestly think it was a shot at Trump or Lake.

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by Thoughtful Monk View Post
        Generally speaking, I am less open about my opinions and positions compared to 5 to 10 years ago. To my perception, there has been a definite chilling of tolerance for positions that disagree.
        When you are seeing something like a 20 point difference between what is said and what is believed (26 points regarding Education and 23 points regarding race relations) among what is regarded as one of the left's strongest constituencies, that is suggestive of a massive pending blowout come November 8.

        It doesn't mean that these folks will be voting Republican but rather they probably won't be much inclined to vote at all and the left is counting on their turning out. That was the whole point of the Student Loan redistribution.

        I'm always still in trouble again

        "You're by far the worst poster on TWeb" and "TWeb's biggest liar" --starlight (the guy who says Stalin was a right-winger)
        "Overall I would rate the withdrawal from Afghanistan as by far the best thing Biden's done" --Starlight
        "Of course, human life begins at fertilization that’s not the argument." --Tassman

        Comment


        • #5
          Nowadays it's not about being "shy" but being smart. If you express your true beliefs in public, or at work, you could find yourself being "cancelled," "fired" or even assaulted. Free Speech has come under attack by the far left fascists to the point that even companies bow to the pressure to get rid of employees who don't follow the left political agenda.

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by Sparko View Post
            Nowadays it's not about being "shy" but being smart. If you express your true beliefs in public, or at work, you could find yourself being "cancelled," "fired" or even assaulted. Free Speech has come under attack by the far left fascists to the point that even companies bow to the pressure to get rid of employees who don't follow the left political agenda.
            I agree.
            "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." Hosea 6:6

            "Theology can be an intellectual entertainment." Metropolitan Anthony Bloom

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by rogue06 View Post
              There is increasing talk about what effect will an increasing phenomena known as the "shy voter" will have on the coming election. Shy voters are usually described as those who feel pressured to say one thing publicly but vote entirely differently in private.

              It is believed to have played a major role in the Brexit vote and Trump's victory in 2016 which the polls got horribly wrong. People will lie to a pollster working with an organization that openly mocks and derides those they disagree with.

              Generally studies looking into this find that it is folks who possess conservative opinions who lie to pollsters and others the most having seen people get fired for expressing such views or having the government sic the FBI on them as "domestic terrorists."

              New research is indicating that this is especially true among Millennials who everyone thinks are so reliably liberal, but it looks like that is not the case.

              Source: Why Americans are concealing their true political beliefs


              As the midterm elections quickly approach, Americans across the country are discussing their thoughts on trending policy topics with family, friends and colleagues. Just how truthful they are in those conversations, however, is now a reasonable question to consider. A new study from Populace Insights shines light on how deeply American adults are affected by social pressure to fit in, especially when it comes to hot-button political issues.

              The report’s findings suggest that American popular culture, and the desire to fit into it, makes the American people look far more politically extreme than they really are. The study uses a clever methodology to measure agreement with statements that people might feel social pressure to reject, even in a private online survey. Differences between stated and privately held opinions were as high as 14 percentage points among all Americans and soared even higher among certain subgroups.

              Millennials, who have spearheaded the progressive left in the last decade but recently transitioned from youthful activism to the responsibilities of parenthood, are privately much more conservative when it comes to education issues. Three-quarters privately believe parents should have more influence on school curriculums (+26 points compared to their public opinion) and have significantly more private doubts about racism and gender ideology being taught in schools.

              Additionally, the youngest voters, those under 30, are privately rejecting ideals that are frequently associated with their generation. Just one-in-four privately believe CEOs should take public stances on social issues. What’s more, privately, the belief that racism in built into America drops from 65 percent to 42 percent. The way voters, including this youngest set, privately shy away from the most progressive beliefs may be part of the reason President Biden’s net approval rating fell 7 points during the week in which he announced a wealth-redistributing student loan forgiveness plan.

              That is not to say real differences don’t exist between different age cohorts or political parties, because they do. But within the safety of an individual’s mind, almost every issue takes a step away from the accepted view of a self-prescribed tribe: Republicans are less set on overturning Roe v. Wade and have more reservations about turning the internet into a completely unregulated free speech zone. Democrats are less enthusiastic about masking to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and half as likely to think colleges should censor speech.

              Although many staunch partisans take a step back from the party line in their heads, their publicly pronounced stances have created an environment where independents, as well as certain racial minorities, are the least comfortable sharing their views in public, according to the study’s key findings. It is telling that one of the smallest differences between public and private opinions among various demographic subgroups comes when asking people if they have avoided saying something they believe for fear of offending someone. Half of Americans recall such an instance in the past year.

              Perhaps this chilling environment helps explain why trust in American institutions has plummeted in recent years. If our society has created an environment where people do not feel free to share their opinions, the default expectation may now be that everyone is hiding something. It might also explain the rise of political candidates of otherwise questionable experience and ability that have been successful with a simple “say it like it is” campaign strategy.

              Unfortunately, there is no way to legislate people into being honest in conversations about current affairs. This problem must fall to civil society. One of the easiest things individuals can do is stop using politics as a litmus test for friendships and other social interactions.

              Despite many articles encouraging people to embrace tribalism and cut out the “others” from our lives, psychologists have found that making friendship contingent on matching political views is not compatible with the strong relationships humans need to flourish. In solid friendships, individuals will have the intimacy needed to share true opinions, which improves the lost art of tolerating disparate views. In this way, we will be able to find common ground and rebuild trust in individuals and institutions that may not act according to our preferred political beliefs.



              Source

              © Copyright Original Source







              I remember the "shy voter" problem was a thing during the 2020 election. By now it's likely maximized. It's kind of cool in a way because it only really hurts the democrats. When the pompous democrat establishment continues to demonize populism, they have a hard time seeing populism rising because it's forced off the radar, so they can't accurately predict election results (or at least gauge just how bad it will be), and when they can't accurately predict results, they can't prepare accordingly. Or, as in the case of the Biden admin, they get desperate at the last minute and their actions look like obvious desperation.

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by seanD View Post

                I remember the "shy voter" problem was a thing during the 2020 election. By now it's likely maximized. It's kind of cool in a way because it only really hurts the democrats. When the pompous democrat establishment continues to demonize populism, they have a hard time seeing populism rising because it's forced off the radar, so they can't accurately predict election results (or at least gauge just how bad it will be), and when they can't accurately predict results, they can't prepare accordingly. Or, as in the case of the Biden admin, they get desperate at the last minute and their actions look like obvious desperation.
                If the polls indicate that a Democrat will win but it is really a toss up you could end up with Republicans saying "why bother" and not vote thus ensuring a win for the Democrats.

                I'm always still in trouble again

                "You're by far the worst poster on TWeb" and "TWeb's biggest liar" --starlight (the guy who says Stalin was a right-winger)
                "Overall I would rate the withdrawal from Afghanistan as by far the best thing Biden's done" --Starlight
                "Of course, human life begins at fertilization that’s not the argument." --Tassman

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by rogue06 View Post
                  If the polls indicate that a Democrat will win but it is really a toss up you could end up with Republicans saying "why bother" and not vote thus ensuring a win for the Democrats.
                  I highly doubt that would be the case here. After all, Trump did get even more votes than he did 2016, in spite of four years of OMB shoved down the throat of Americans. Reps obviously know how dangerous the times we're in.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by rogue06 View Post
                    If the polls indicate that a Democrat will win but it is really a toss up you could end up with Republicans saying "why bother" and not vote thus ensuring a win for the Democrats.
                    The more likely scenario in that case would be the democrat voter saying "why bother, we are gonna win anyway" and the republican voting trying to change the outcome.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Sparko View Post

                      The more likely scenario in that case would be the democrat voter saying "why bother, we are gonna win anyway" and the republican voting trying to change the outcome.
                      FWIU, unless it appears to be a wipe out, those who think they're going to win are more likely to vote than those who think they're going to lose. It's the whole jumping on the bandwagon to be a part of the winning side thing.

                      People want to be on the winning team.

                      I'm always still in trouble again

                      "You're by far the worst poster on TWeb" and "TWeb's biggest liar" --starlight (the guy who says Stalin was a right-winger)
                      "Overall I would rate the withdrawal from Afghanistan as by far the best thing Biden's done" --Starlight
                      "Of course, human life begins at fertilization that’s not the argument." --Tassman

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by rogue06 View Post
                        FWIU, unless it appears to be a wipe out, those who think they're going to win are more likely to vote than those who think they're going to lose. It's the whole jumping on the bandwagon to be a part of the winning side thing.

                        People want to be on the winning team.
                        You would still be on the winning team even if you didn't vote if your guy won. Who would know you didn't vote but yourself? But if you are sick of the other side winning, you are more likely to vote them out.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by Sparko View Post

                          You would still be on the winning team even if you didn't vote if your guy won. Who would know you didn't vote but yourself? But if you are sick of the other side winning, you are more likely to vote them out.
                          Not the same thing. You do things like this in an attempt to make you feel better about yourself.

                          I'm always still in trouble again

                          "You're by far the worst poster on TWeb" and "TWeb's biggest liar" --starlight (the guy who says Stalin was a right-winger)
                          "Overall I would rate the withdrawal from Afghanistan as by far the best thing Biden's done" --Starlight
                          "Of course, human life begins at fertilization that’s not the argument." --Tassman

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by rogue06 View Post
                            Not the same thing. You do things like this in an attempt to make you feel better about yourself.
                            From experience I have sat out elections where I knew Republicans were gonna win, like when I lived in a republican state. And if I thought democrats were a serious contender I would make sure I voted to make whatever difference I could. I have never said "what's the use?" and not voted if I thought my side was a lost cause.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Originally posted by Sparko View Post

                              From experience I have sat out elections where I knew Republicans were gonna win, like when I lived in a republican state. And if I thought democrats were a serious contender I would make sure I voted to make whatever difference I could. I have never said "what's the use?" and not voted if I thought my side was a lost cause.
                              I'm pretty sure that you already understand that you aren't like most people.

                              I'm always still in trouble again

                              "You're by far the worst poster on TWeb" and "TWeb's biggest liar" --starlight (the guy who says Stalin was a right-winger)
                              "Overall I would rate the withdrawal from Afghanistan as by far the best thing Biden's done" --Starlight
                              "Of course, human life begins at fertilization that’s not the argument." --Tassman

                              Comment

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