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Published on: March 1, 2017
Motivating voter turnout by invoking the self
Christopher J Bryan1, Gregory M Walton, Todd Rogers
1Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. cbryan@stanford.edu
Summary
Framing voting as a personal identity, rather than just a behavior, significantly boosts voter registration and turnout. This research highlights how language influences civic engagement and self-concept management.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Political Science
- Behavioral Economics
Background:
- Civic engagement is crucial for democratic societies.
- Understanding factors influencing voter turnout is essential for public policy.
- Subtle environmental cues can impact human behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of linguistic framing on voter registration and turnout.
- To determine if emphasizing voting as a personal identity increases participation.
- To explore the relationship between self-concept management and socially relevant behaviors.
Main Methods:
- Three randomized experiments were conducted.
- Survey item phrasing was manipulated to frame voting as either a personal identity or a behavior.
- Voter turnout was assessed using official state records in two statewide elections.
Main Results:
- Personal-identity framing significantly increased interest in voter registration.
- Personal-identity framing led to increased voter turnout in two statewide elections.
- Linguistic cues demonstrated a measurable effect on civic behavior.
Conclusions:
- Subtle linguistic cues can effectively motivate socially relevant behaviors like voting.
- Framing participation as a personal identity is a powerful tool for increasing civic engagement.
- Individuals actively manage their self-concepts, which can be leveraged to promote desired actions.
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