Psychological Models of Voting Behavior

This lecture was given in PS 240 on November 12th.

Lecture Material

Psychology of Voting-

1. Bounded rationality:
   1. decisions must be made with realistic resources because perfect choice is impossible. There are limits on theamounts of time, computational resources, and information available.
2. Heuristics:
   1. Heuristics are useful, indispensible cognitive measures for solving problems that cannot be solved by logic.
3. Recognition Heuristics:
   1. if one of two objects is recognized we assume the one we recognize is better off.
4. Take the Best Heuristics:
   1. Take one attribute for decision to be made and the best value wins. This is common with single issue voters.
5. Elimination by Aspects:
   1. When many candidates are similar in their beliefs (common in party primaries), a voter can begin eliminating candidates based upon their stances until ane candidate is left that fully agrees with the voters beliefs.

Take the Few Best (Aspects)

Viability heuristic less viable less likely to be enthusiastic

Other tools that can help a voter choose:

1. Group Endorsement:
   1. if group endorses candidate it gives you an idea on the stance of the candidate.
2. Party Ideology:
   1. Party ID
3. Polls

Motivational reasoning:

    we begin to form opinions and then seek out information to prove them. We block out all information contrary to perceived beliefs.