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Religious Appeals and Implicit Attitudes

Religious Appeals and Implicit Attitudes This article explores the effects of religious appeals by politicians on attitudes and behavior. Although politicians frequently make religious appeals, the effectiveness of these appeals and the mechanisms of persuasion are unknown. This article explores the possibility that religious language can affect political attitudes through implicit processes. Because religious attachments are formed early in the lives of many Americans, religious language may influence citizens without their awareness. Implicit and explicit attitudes are related but distinct constructs, and implicit attitudes may have behavioral implications in the political realm. I test these hypotheses experimentally, relying on a widely used implicit measure, the Implicit Association Test. I find that a Christian religious appeal affects implicit attitudes and political behavior among people who currently or previously identify as Christian. Furthermore, an explicit preference for less religion in politics does not moderate implicit effects. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Political Psychology Wiley

Religious Appeals and Implicit Attitudes

Political Psychology , Volume 32 (1) – Feb 1, 2011

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References (58)

Publisher
Wiley
Copyright
© 2010 International Society of Political Psychology
ISSN
0162-895X
eISSN
1467-9221
DOI
10.1111/j.1467-9221.2010.00793.x
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

This article explores the effects of religious appeals by politicians on attitudes and behavior. Although politicians frequently make religious appeals, the effectiveness of these appeals and the mechanisms of persuasion are unknown. This article explores the possibility that religious language can affect political attitudes through implicit processes. Because religious attachments are formed early in the lives of many Americans, religious language may influence citizens without their awareness. Implicit and explicit attitudes are related but distinct constructs, and implicit attitudes may have behavioral implications in the political realm. I test these hypotheses experimentally, relying on a widely used implicit measure, the Implicit Association Test. I find that a Christian religious appeal affects implicit attitudes and political behavior among people who currently or previously identify as Christian. Furthermore, an explicit preference for less religion in politics does not moderate implicit effects.

Journal

Political PsychologyWiley

Published: Feb 1, 2011

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