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FILE – A voter fills out a ballot at the Bedford High School polling place on January 23, 2024 in Bedford, New Hampshire. (Photo by Joe Radle/Getty Images)
61% of Americans admit they don’t share their true beliefs on political issues, according to a new survey. College graduates and independents are the most reluctant to share their opinions publicly. Survey respondents said they have a general distrust of U.S. institutions, including the government, the Supreme Court, and the media.
This year’s election is filled with issues important to voters, from immigration to the economy. Americans are thinking about these topics heading into November, but most are reluctant to give honest opinions on these topics based on recent research.
According to Populous, a Massachusetts-based think tank, about 61% of Americans admit to voluntarily silencing their true beliefs, while 58% admit that most people are silent even when they believe they are right. He elaborated that even though he believes in it, he doesn’t think he can share his honest opinion on a sensitive topic. on the social pressure index.
The study also found that college graduates and political independents are the most reluctant to share their personal opinions publicly. Among the demographic groups, college graduates and political independents are the most frequently silenced, with large public-private gaps on 37 of 64 issues.
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Meanwhile, respondents said they were more concerned about about two-thirds (43 of 64) of the sensitive issues examined in the poll, from abortion rights and school choice to legal immigration and voter ID requirements. I personally agree. The study also found that the majority of men and women are on the same side on 57 of the 64 sensitive issues.
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Separately, a majority of Gen Z Americans are on the same side as the rest of the public on 57 of the 64 sensitive issues covered in the survey (the amount of support or opposition on a particular issue is only different). The issues on which they disagree with the public are climate change and immigration.
Additionally, respondents said they had a personal distrust of U.S. institutions. Public opinion results in the report suggest low public trust in the Supreme Court (36%) and general distrust of the government (22%) and the media (24%). Private opinion shows that trust is even lower than poll results suggest (21% trust in the Supreme Court, 4% trust in the government, 7% trust in the media).
Populace’s report focuses on understanding individuals’ personal views and values, rather than what they say publicly.
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To collect the data, researchers conducted a survey from May 16, 2024 to June 24, 2024. The team then conducted a list experiment (also known as the item count technique), a research technique created to maximize respondent privacy.
In this study, list experiments hide people’s responses as part of their methodological design by collecting responses to sensitive items along with other items, rather than asking respondents for their opinions on a set of sensitive topics. , pointed out that it reduces social desirability and bias introduced by nonresponse.
Todd Rose, CEO of Populace, told Fox News Digital that the Social Pressure Index is the largest private poll ever conducted, showing the pressure people have on society to hold the “right” opinion. He said he recognizes how that pressure affects what people want to say out loud.
Rose told FOX News Digital that the survey covered 64 of the most controversial issues in American society and included more than 19,000 respondents and a large sample of more than 20 demographic groups. He explained that it was done. Click here to see the complete Social Pressure Index.
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Information for this article was provided by Populace and FOX News. Populace releases the Social Pressure Index, which covers 64 of the most controversial issues in American society and includes a large sample of over 19,000 respondents and over 20 demographic groups. FOX News also received comment from Populous’ CEO regarding this investigation. This article was reported from Washington, DC
