The Effects of Policy Successes vs. Policy Failures

• In Event: Political Parties and American Democracy Mini-Conference I: Going Negative: How Information Affects Attitudes

Abstract

This paper seeks to answer a question fundamental to citizen engagement around policy issues: how does information about policy successes versus policy failure shape attitudes and behavior? We compare the effects of information about policy success versus failure in three separate areas (child health, the environment, and education). Specifically, we examine how these two types of information shape (1) political engagement around the issue (including mobilization and salience) and (2) support for future government action on the issue (including funding and prioritization). These findings contribute to the larger literature on how the negativity bias in media coverage might shape citizen knowledge and engagement.

Authors

• Sarah B. Pralle, Syracuse University

• Emily Thorson, Syracuse University