Political Behaviour/Sociology

F13(a) - Methodological Issues in the Study of Political Behaviour I

Date: Jun 13 | Time: 01:45pm to 03:15pm | Location: UQAM, Pavillon Hubert-Aquin, 400 Ste-Catherine E., classroom/local A-5060

Chair/Président/Présidente : Yu-Chen Chen (York University)

Discussant/Commentateur/Commentatrice : Éric Desrochers (Université d'Ottawa)

Partisan identification: a more fine grained approach: Thomas Galipeau (University of Toronto)
Abstract: Examining partisan identification in political behaviour is intriguing and offers a unique perspective that challenges traditional normative theories. While democratic theories propose that the public should hold political elites accountable, empirical accounts reveal a complex reality where political identities often bias voters' reasoning. A wealth of observational and experimental studies have explored this phenomenon deeply. These papers have found many intriguing patterns, but they still debate the extent to which people are biased and under which conditions. The variety of results thus begs the question: is partisan attachment conceptualized carefully enough? For instance, a common underlying assumption in the literature is that all politically affiliated individuals are fundamentally the same. They all possess an affirmatory identity (e.g., "I am a [party name]"), which is the antecedent to partisan bias. This assumption warrants further scrutiny. This study leverages data from Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia to delve into partisanship through a four-category typology: Positive, Closed, Negative, and Apathetic. This approach offers three significant advantages. First, it provides a more nuanced and granular understanding of how different types of partisan attachment manifest within the political landscape. Second, it enhances our comprehension of political behaviour by examining with more scrutiny the mechanisms underlying the diverse impacts of partisan bias. Third, it grounds itself more firmly in self-categorization theory. Overall, this paper contributes to the field by demonstrating that partisan identification may be a more complex concept than initially coined by the American voter or by Partisan Hearts and Minds.

Mesurer les effets de l’humour : la méthode expérimentale au service de la communication politique: Emmanuel Choquette (Université de Sherbrooke)
Abstract: La présente communication porte sur le recours à la méthode expérimentale pour mesurer les effets des discours humoristiques sur certaines attitudes sociales et politiques. S’appuyant sur la mobilisation de cette approche pour mener différentes recherches (Choquette 2022; Choquette, Bédard et Ben Ismal 2023, Choquette, Kelbel et Grignard 2023), cette présentation vise à répondre à trois questions principales : 1) Pourquoi mesurer les effets de l’humour et en quoi cette façon de procéder s’inscrit-elle dans le champ de la communication politique? On mettra alors en lumière le manque d’études empiriques sur le rôle et les fonctions de l’humour au Québec en particulier. La pertinence d’investir les « humor studies » à travers la communication politique, notamment dans ses dimensions œcuménique et instrumentale (Gerstlé et Piar 2016), sera aussi soulignée. 2) Quelles variables peut-on mobiliser et quels effets ont été observés? On présentera ici les principaux résultats de trois études ayant mené des expériences de visionnement de vidéos humoristiques en ligne. Ce faisant, on abordera les défis entourant la création des variables, lesquelles visent notamment à évaluer les impacts de l’humour sur l’alimentation de stéréotypes ou sur l’intérêt politique des individus. 3) La méthode expérimentale peut-elle également générer des données qualitatives éclairantes au sujet du rôle et des fonctions de l’humour? Cette dernière partie de la communication viendra démontrer la pertinence de combiner d’autres stratégies de recherche, en ajoutant des volets à court développement dans les questionnaires d’enquête ou en procédant à des entretiens, afin de mettre en perspective les résultats obtenus.

Strategic Approach of Group-based Appeals and Party Identity: Alvaro Pereira Filho (Western University (The University of Western Ontario))
Abstract: Partisanship, which is voters’ attachment to a political party, is a key element in a democratic regime. Scholars have identified two models of partisanship: a) the instrumental model, a running tally of policy and ideological congruence (e.g., Johnston 2006); b) the expressive model, psychological attachment akin to social identity (e.g., Huddy, Mason, & Aaroe 2015). Why voters develop distinct attachments have been overlooked. Explanations incorporate individual differences and contextual features, but often miss potential differences in partisanship across parties. To understand these disparities, I argue that group-based appeals, which are tailored messages to specific subgroup of voters, can shape one party’s image, framing party identity in terms of group ties. Following the strategic approach of party appeals (Hersh & Schaffner 2013), I empirically explore whether appeals to traditional allies promote expressive over instrumental partisanship among partisans in Canada. Using an experimental design, I measure both models of partisanship and manifestations in party evaluations and vote choice. This study contributes identifying mechanisms by which voters develop party identity and discuss the key role of political parties in promoting affection and polarization within the electorate.

Social Pressure and Voter Turnout: Evidence from 67 Electoral Studies: Maxime Coulombe (University of Western Ontario)
Abstract: Field experiments such as Gerber et al.’s (2008) Get-Out-the-Vote study provide causal estimates of the mobilizing effects of social pressure to vote. While offering important contributions, these studies leave open questions regarding the prevalence of the social pressure to vote and its importance for the turnout decision in everyday life. Recent observational studies have started to address these questions but are generally limited to one or two elections in one country. In sum, we have little knowledge of how widespread and salient considerations about the social norm of voting are in the general population, and how these considerations can shape the decision to vote or abstain. This article fills these important gaps in the literature. The article draws on a multilevel regression analysis of 67 electoral studies conducted in 11 democracies, encompassing over 1,180,000 measurements of social pressure from 270,000 unique respondents. Preliminary results suggest that social pressure is highly prevalent and confirm its relationship with voter turnout. I discuss how and when social pressure matters the most and its implications for the study of electoral turnout and social norms.