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Related Experiment Videos

Measuring public attitudes on abortion: methodological and substantive considerations

E A Cook1, T G Jelen, C Wilcox

  • 1American University.

Family Planning Perspectives
|May 1, 1993
PubMed
Summary

Question framing significantly impacts public opinion on abortion. Specific questions reveal more moderate views, unlike general questions that overestimate extreme support for or against abortion rights.

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Area of Science:

  • Social Sciences
  • Public Opinion Research
  • Political Science

Background:

  • Public opinion on abortion is complex and influenced by various factors.
  • Survey methodology, particularly question framing, can affect reported public opinion.
  • Understanding the nuances of public support for abortion policies is crucial for legislative and social discourse.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how the framing of survey questions influences public opinion estimates on abortion.
  • To compare the impact of general versus specific question formats on abortion stance.
  • To analyze the extent to which respondents moderate their views when presented with specific circumstances or proposed restrictions.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of data from a 1989 CBS News/New York Times national survey.
Keywords:
Empirical ApproachGenetics and Reproduction

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  • Inclusion of results from six state-level polls to corroborate findings.
  • Comparison of responses to general abortion questions versus those detailing specific circumstances.

    • Main Results:

    • General questions (two or three options) overestimate support for extreme positions (total ban or no restrictions).
    • Specific, circumstance-based questions shift respondents from extreme to more moderate stances.
    • Even those with initially extreme views tend to moderate when asked about proposed state-level restrictions.

    Conclusions:

    • The way abortion-related questions are phrased significantly alters the perceived public opinion.
    • Survey questions that present specific scenarios or restrictions yield more nuanced and moderate public opinion data.
    • Methodological choices in polling are critical for accurately reflecting public sentiment on sensitive issues like abortion.