Scholars and pundits alike have noted an increasing degree of political polarization among the United States public, especially since the 2016 Presidential Election. However, there is considerable debate regarding the underlying causes of this polarization. To reconcile this debate, the Social & Political Attitudes Study (SPAS) incorporated measurements from psychology, sociology, and political science, to better understand the current political landscape. The purpose of this study was to discover which political issues most divide people, and also to discover how the most divided people see the world.
This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board at the University of North Texas. Data was collected in October 2019 via Qualtrics Survey Software and Qualtrics’ sample recruitment services. 731 adults filled out the 15 minute survey. The study sample is nationally representative — participants reflect the U.S. adult population in terms of educational attainment, ethnicity, gender, and household income.
For additional information (e.g., measures used, codebook, participant details) on this study, please feel free to contact the principal investigators.
REPORT (SPAS-010)
Viewpoint Diversity and Political Bias
Tenth report in the Social & Political Attitudes Study (SPAS)
Will people say that a scientific study should be shared with the public regardless of the outcome? In SPAS-010, we asked people if they thought a study showing that teaching both liberal and conservative views in the classroom increases (versus decreases) violence toward minorities on campus should be shared. Check out what we found concerning viewpoint diversity and political bias.
Technical and statistical information on this data and analysis is available in the Supplemental Materials for Report SPAS-010.
REPORT (SPAS-009)
Political Disagreement and Emotional Closeness
Ninth report in the Social & Political Attitudes Study (SPAS)
In SPAS-009, we first assess the extent to which people disagree on political matters with close friends and family and whether this disagreement relates to their emotional closeness to one another. We then check to see if the relationship between political disagreement and emotional closeness varies by political orientation. Lastly, we explore whether political commitment (e.g., activism) relates to political disagreement.
Technical and statistical information on this data and analysis is available in the Supplemental Materials for Report SPAS-009.
REPORT (SPAS-008)
Political Orientation and Political Attitudes
Eighth report in the Social & Political Attitudes Study (SPAS)
(1) To what extent are peoples’ political orientation consistent with their political party affiliation? and (2) How does political orientation correspond to political attitudes? To investigate this, we assessed attitudes towards abortion, climate change, and immigration among 600 self-identified liberals, moderates, and conservatives. Check out our latest findings.
Technical and statistical information on this data and analysis is available in the Supplemental Materials for Report SPAS-008.
REPORT (SPAS-007)
Political Orientation and Information Sources
Seventh report in the Social & Political Attitudes Study (SPAS)
“Do sources of information differ by political orientation?” To investigate this, we assessed which information sources 600 self-identified liberals, moderates, and conservatives reported using.
Technical and statistical information on this data and analysis is available in the Supplemental Materials for Report SPAS-007.
REPORT (SPAS-006)
Political Orientation and Decision-Making
Sixth report in the Social & Political Attitudes Study (SPAS)
“Do people with different political orientations have different bases — evidence or emotion — for their political opinions?” To investigate this, we assessed political decision-making among self-identified liberals, moderates, and conservatives.
Technical and statistical information on this data and analysis is available in the Supplemental Materials for Report SPAS-006.
REPORT (SPAS-005)
Political Affiliation and Attitudes about Language
Fifth report in the Social & Political Attitudes Study (SPAS)
George Orwell is famous for describing how language norms can be used to shape and re-shape political worldviews. In SPAS-005, we asked, “Do attitudes about language differ by political party affiliation?” Download our findings:
Technical and statistical information on this data and analysis is available in the Supplemental Materials for Report SPAS-005.
REPORT (SPAS-004)
Attitudes on Inequality and Political Affiliation
Fourth report in the Social & Political Attitudes Study (SPAS)
Do beliefs in the prevalence of inequality, and demand for equality, differ by political party affiliation? To investigate this, we assessed attitudes on inequality among self-identified Republicans, Democrats, and those who reported no political party identification in particular. We controlled for educational attainment, sex, and age. Check out our findings by downloading the report:
Technical and statistical information on this data and analysis is available in the Supplemental Materials for Report SPAS-004.
REPORT (SPAS-003)
A Paradox of Tolerance?
Third report in the Social & Political Attitudes Study (SPAS)
Report SPAS-002 found that individuals of both major political parties expressed socially tolerant attitudes towards individuals with other political views. In this new report (SPAS-003), we asked the question: “Are there attitudinal differences between people that are the most versus least tolerant towards people with opposite political views?” Download the findings:
Technical and statistical information on this data and analysis is available in the Supplemental Materials for Report SPAS-003.
REPORT (SPAS-002)
Political Affiliation & Political Intolerance
Second report in the Social & Political Attitudes Study (SPAS)
In this report, Dr. Anondah Saide and Dr. Kevin McCaffree examine whether political party identification is associated with tolerant attitudes towards individuals with different political views. The data reported on here came from the Social & Political Attitudes Study (SPAS) which surveyed a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults.
Technical and statistical information on this data and analysis is available in the Supplemental Materials for Report SPAS-002.
REPORT (SPAS-001)
Division in the Democratic Party
First report in the Social & Political Attitudes Study (SPAS)
Many pundits have suggested that a divided Democratic party contributed to the “surprise” election of Donald Trump in 2016, and that such division may contribute to Trump’s re-election in 2020. In the Social and Political Attitudes Study (SPAS), we surveyed a nationally representative sample of adults to examine the question, “Are Democrats more divided than Republicans?”
Technical and statistical information on this data and analysis is available in the Supplemental Materials for Report SPAS-001.
Follow-up on Report (SPAS-001)
We received a lot of mail in response to our first report of the Skeptic Research Center. We are glad that you have found this work interesting and thank you for engaging with us via email. This enables us to comment a little more on this project. Download our responses to some of your questions.
