My Blog Of Knowledge: Anger Drives Increased Voter Participation

By Rick Nauert PhD Senior News Editor
Reviewed by John M. Grohol, Psy.D.on June 10, 2011

Anger Linked to Improved Voter Participation According to experts, anger is an emotion that can be turned into a positive if it motivates us to do something we normally would not do. New research supports this theory as researchers have found that anger can drive us to participate more in civic duties.

“Anger in politics can play a particularly vital role, motivating some people to participate in ways they might ordinarily not,” said politicial scientist Dr. Nicholas Valentino, the study’s lead author.

“We normally think people with a lot of resources and political skills are the ones who participate, but many citizens in this category regularly abstain from politics. Furthermore, many citizens with few resources can be mobilized if they experience strong anger.

“Anger leads citizens to harness existing skills and resources in a given election. Therefore, the process by which emotions are produced in each campaign can powerfully alter electoral outcomes.”

Researchers used a study methodology called “emotion-induction task” to elevate specific emotional states in a group of participants.

Emotional conditions of anger, anxiety and enthusiasm were studied by asking participants to recall and write about something that caused them to experience a specific emotion during the last presidential campaign.

They were also asked about their political participation based on five actions: wearing a campaign button, volunteering for a campaign, attending a rally, talking to others or donating money.

Anger boosted participation by nearly one-third for each of these five behaviors, while anxiety and enthusiasm did not, the study found.

The researchers also looked at respondents’ emotions in a national survey conducted during the 2008 presidential campaign.

The pre-election study measured 12 emotions, including anger, fear, hope, alarm, sadness, disgust and happiness. Respondents were asked how they felt about the way things were going in the country, rating each emotion.

Again, anger was strongly related to participation in the 2008 election.

In another analysis, the researchers looked at emotions and nonvoting participation in elections from 1980 to 2004.

Cost- or energy-effective strategies to improve participation in the political process included talking to others about voting and wearing a button. Activities that involved more work to improve participation included attending a political rally, working for a campaign and donating money.

In both cases, anger boosted political participation, especially when skills and resources are factored into the equation.

Source: University of Michigan

Related News Articles
-->Related Clinical Articles
-->

Advocacy and Policy, General, LifeHelper, Mental Health and Wellness, Politics, Professional, Psychology, Psychotherapy, Research, Work and Career -->

NewsAddictionADHDAdvocacy and PolicyAggression and ViolenceAgingAgoraphobiaAlcoholismAlzheimer'sAnorexiaAnxietyAutismBipolarBlogrollBrain and BehaviorBulimiaChildren and TeensCognitionDepressionDissociationDomestic ViolenceEating DisordersFDA AlertFeaturedGeneralGeneticsHealth-relatedLifeHelperMedicationsMemory and PerceptionMental Health and WellnessNeuropsychology and NeurologyOCDpainPanic DisorderParentingParkinson'sPersonalityPhobiasPoliticsProfessionalPsoriasisPsychologyPsychotherapyPTSDRelationships and SexualityReligion and SpiritualityResearchSchizophreniaSleepSocial PhobiaStressStudentsSubstance AbuseSuicideTechnologyWork and Career

ArchivesJune 2011May 2011April 2011March 2011February 2011January 2011December 2010November 2010October 2010September 2010August 2010July 2010200820072006Older News Stumble This Article Print Email From Our News BureauNicotine Study Suggests Path to Stop Smoking Without Weight Gain Moderate to Heavy Exercise Protects Aging Brain Collapse of Cellular Skeleton May Trigger Neuron Death in Alzheimer's
Just Published...Money Problems: 6 Steps to Transform Your Money LifeThe Neuroscience of Romanticized Love – Part 2: Either-Or... Video: My Thoughts On CourageBuilding Equality in Your Relationships
What's HotSex, Affairs, Sexting and Scandals: How Smart Men End Up Doing Really Stupid ThingsadvertisementMost Popular NewsNicotine Study Suggests Path to Stop Smoking Without Weight Gain Moderate to Heavy Exercise Protects Aging Brain Collapse of Cellular Skeleton May Trigger Neuron Death in Alzheimer's Minority Youth Consume More Media than White Counterparts The Drug Metyrapone to Erase Bad Memories? Demographics Influence Mental Health in Black Males Sexual Health Linked to Self-Esteem, Empathy, Autonomy Abnormal Brain Growth in Pre-K Kids with ADHD Signs Childhood Exposure to Trauma Ups Physical, Mental Health Risks Link Between Cholesterol Drug and Depression Subscribe to Our Weekly Newsletter

advertisement
Find a Therapist

Users Online: 2911
Join Us Now!
Local GuidesAll Guides
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
DC
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Need to chat with someone now? Live therapists are available 24/7 to chat online--> #footer { height:220px; } #foot-mid { margin:0 0 0 40px; } Home • About Us • Advertise with Us • Contact Us
Privacy Policy • Terms of Use • Site Map • Disclaimer/Disclosure • Feeds