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Journal Article•DOI•

The American voter

01 Dec 1961-American Journal of Psychology (University of Chicago Press)-Vol. 74, Iss: 4, pp 648
TL;DR: The "The American Voter" as mentioned in this paper is the unabridged version of the classic theoretical study of voting behavior, originally published in 1960, and is a standard reference in the field of electoral research, presenting formulations of the theoretical issues that have been the focus of scholarly publication.
Abstract: Here is the unabridged version of the classic theoretical study of voting behavior, originally published in 1960. It is a standard reference in the field of electoral research, presenting formulations of the theoretical issues that have been the focus of scholarly publication. No single study matches the study of "The American Voter."
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Journal Article•DOI•
TL;DR: In this article, a review of available empirical research supports the contention that strong attitude-behavior relations can be obtained only under high correspondence between at least the target and action elements of the attitudinal and behavioral entities.
Abstract: Research on the relation between attitude and behavior is examined in light of the correspondence between attitudinal and behavioral entities. Such entities are defined by their target, action, context, and time elements. A review of available empirical research supports the contention that strong attitude-behavior relations dre obtained only under high correspondence between at least the target and action elements of the attitudinal and behavioral entities. This conclusion is compared with the rather pessimistic assessment of the utility of the attitude concept found in much contemporary social psychological literature.

6,756 citations

Journal Article•DOI•
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a set of concepts and related propositions drawn from a resource mobilization perspective, emphasizing the variety and sources of resources; the relationship of social movements to the media, authorities, and other parties; and the interaction among movement organizations.
Abstract: Past analysis of social movements and social movement organizations has normally assumed a close link between the frustrations or grievances of a collectivity of actors and the growth and decline of movement activity. Questioning the theoretical centrality of this assumption directs social movement analysis away from its heavy emphasis upon the social psychology of social movement participants; it can then be more easily integrated with structural theories of social process. This essay presents a set of concepts and related propositions drawn from a resource mobilization perspective. It emphasizes the variety and sources of resources; the relationship of social movements to the media, authorities, and other parties; and the interaction among movement organizations. Propositions are developed to explain social movement activity at several levels of inclusiveness-the social movement sector, the social movement industry, and social movement organization.

5,823 citations

Journal Article•DOI•
Robert Axelrod1•
TL;DR: In this paper, an agent-based adaptive model is proposed to reveal the effects of a mechanism of convergent social influence, where actors are placed at fixed sites and the basic premise is that the more similar an actor is to a neighbor, the more likely that that actor will adopt one of the neighbor's traits.
Abstract: Despite tendencies toward convergence, differences between individuals and groups continue to exist in beliefs, attitudes, and behavior. An agent-based adaptive model reveals the effects of a mechanism of convergent social influence. The actors are placed at fixed sites. The basic premise is that the more similar an actor is to a neighbor, the more likely that that actor will adopt one of the neighbor's traits. Unlike previous models of social influence or cultural change that treat features one at a time, the proposed model takes into account the interaction between different features. The model illustrates how local convergence can generate global polarization. Simulations show that the number of stable homogeneous regions decreases with the number of features, increases with the number of alternative traits per feature, decreases with the range of interaction, and (most surprisingly) decreases when the geographic territory grows beyond a certain size. MAINTENANCE OF DIFFERENCES If people tend to become more alike in their beliefs, attitudes, and behavior when they interact, why do not all such differences eventually disappear? Social scientists have proposed many mechanisms to answer this question. The purpose of this article is to explore one more mechanism. The mechanism proposed here deals with how people do indeed become more similar as they interact, but also provides an explanation of why the tendency to converge stops before it reaches completion. It therefore provides a new type of explanation of why we do not all become alike. Because the proposed mechanism can exist alongside other mechanisms, it can be regarded as complementary with older explanations rather than necessarily competing with them. Unfortunately, no good term describes the range of things about which people can influence each other. Although beliefs, attitudes, and behavior cover a wide range indeed, there are still more things over which interpersonal influence extends, such as language, art, technical standards, and social norms. The most generic term for the

1,754 citations

Journal Article•DOI•
TL;DR: In this paper, organizational citizenship behavior is reconceptualized in terms of civic citizenship as described in political philosophy and the authors used this theoretical foundation to derive substantive categories for organizations.
Abstract: Organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) is reconceptualized in terms of civic citizenship as described in political philosophy We used this theoretical foundation to derive substantive categorie

1,682 citations

Journal Article•DOI•
TL;DR: This article found that voters who lack encyclopedic information about the content of electoral debates can nevertheless use information shortcuts to vote as though they were well informed, and that access to a particular class of widely available information shortcuts allowed badly informed voters to emulate the behavior of relatively well informed voters.
Abstract: Voters in mass elections are notorious for their apparent lack of information about relevant political matters. While some scholars argue that an electorate of well-informed voters is necessary for the production of responsive electoral outcomes, others argue that apparently ignorant voters will suffice because they can adapt their behavior to the complexity of electoral choice. To evaluate the validity of these arguments, I develop and analyze a survey of California voters who faced five complicated insurance reform ballot initiatives. I find that access to a particular class of widely available information shortcuts allowed badly informed voters to emulate the behavior of relatively well informed voters. This finding is suggestive of the conditions under which voters who lack encyclopedic information about the content of electoral debates can nevertheless use information shortcuts to vote as though they were well informed.

1,475 citations