Abstract
Abstract
According to researchers, there are two ways of measuring political ideology: in a unidimensional fashion, which examines broad differences between liberals and conservatives, and a multidimensional fashion, which examines more specific differences between liberal and conservative ideologies, such as right-wing authoritarianism and social dominance orientation. This study applies those means of measuring to vaccine ideology, with a misinformation correction either from a vaccine manufacturer, Merck, or the government agency in charge of disseminating the information, the CDC. It also examines affective differences based on ideology in reaction to the misinformation. Results show that differences in vaccine attitudes do exist based on endorsement of freedom, but not on broad measures of ideology and affect. Suggestions for future research on multidimensional measures of ideology are discussed.
Advisor
Garcia, Amber
Department
Psychology
Recommended Citation
Evans, Michael E., "Freedom isn’t Free: The Role of Political Orientation and Authoritarianism in Predicting Citizen’s Vaccination Attitudes" (2015). Senior Independent Study Theses. Paper 6698.
https://openworks.wooster.edu/independentstudy/6698
Disciplines
American Politics | Health Psychology | Medical Education | Psychology | Social Psychology
Keywords
vaccines, political ideology, authoritarianism, affect, liberal, conservative
Publication Date
2015
Degree Granted
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type
Senior Independent Study Thesis
© Copyright 2015 Michael E. Evans