Priming the Vote

Campaign Effects in a U.S. Senate Election

Bibliographic Data

ID7352116
AuthorsJames N Druckman (0000-0002-1249-6790, University of Minnesota, corresponding author)
Year2004
Volume25
Issue4
Pages577-594
Publication date2004-07-12
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePolitical Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0162-895X • E-ISSN: 1467-9221
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/j.1467-9221.2004.00388.x
OpenAlexW2142090173
LanguageEN
Citations received109
References cited27

A growing body of evidence suggests that campaigns affect voters by priming the criteria on which voters base their decisions. Yet virtually all of this work uses simulated campaign rhetoric and/or relies on indirect measures of vote choice. This paper combines a content analysis of media campaign coverage with an Election Day exit poll to explore the impact of a real‐world campaign—the 2000 campaign for the U.S. Senate in Minnesota—on voters’ decisions. In this case, the campaign did in fact prime exposed and attentive voters to base their decisions on the issues and images emphasized in the campaign. Such campaign effects were reinforced by interpersonal discussions. The results constitute the first demonstration of priming effects in a U.S. election with voters at the polls

Advertising · Business · General election · Interpersonal communication · Political science · Politics · Priming (agriculture · Rhetoric · Electoral Systems and Political Participation · Law · Media Studies and Communication · Psychology · Social Media and Politics · Social Psychology

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