Subject: The Conditioned Response..... (fwd)
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1998 054011 -0600 (CST)
From: "Roy L. Beavers" <rbeavers@llion.org>
To: emfguru <rbeavers@llion.org>
--------------------------------------------------
---------- Forwarded message ----------
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1998 11:51:00 -0600 (CST)
From: "Roy L. Beavers"
To: john_ashcroft@ashcroft.senate.gov, kit_bond@bond.senate.gov,
gephardt@mail.house.gov, blunt@mail.house.gov,
asa.hutchinson@mail.house.gov, joann.emerson@mail.house.gov,
mary.bono@mail.house.gov, steve.chabot@mail.house.gov,
bill.mccollum@mail.house.gov
Subject: The Conditioned Response..... (fwd)
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1998 10:30:29 -0600 (CST)
From: "Roy L. Beavers"
To: nleditor@orion.org [Springfield (Mo) News and Leader]
Cc: emfguru
Subject: The Conditioned Response.....
Political scientists and professional pollsters know well the
phenomenon of the "conditioned response" to political polls. That
is when public answerers to political polling questions try to come up
with the answer that they perceive as the "correct" answer in the publics
eye -- meaning the answer that has been "learned" (often via other
published polls) as the popular or "politically correct" answer.
This phenomenon is particularly well recognized, for example, when
questioning the public about so-called sensitive issues like "race
relations." No-one wants to be thought a racist -- even if his/her views
are somewhat "skewed" on the side of racial bias. So, pollsters delving
into public opinions on such matters must carefully select questions
that do not lend themselves to the facile "popular," politically
correct answers. Instead, questioners must attempt to delve deeper
beneath the surface into the public psyche with questions that avoid the
facile, often heard responses. The search is for objectivity that "gets
around" the publics "learned," or conditioned, responses..
The same phenomenon clearly is occurring in the present situation where
the public' answers to the pollsters questions (regarding the impeachment
of the president) are being recorded and publicized so freely.
By now, the vast majority of the general public has heard at least a
thousand times that "two thirds of the public is against impeachment."
Because of the facile questioning to which it has been exposed, the
American public has "learned" (well!) the "correct" answer to the
question: Do you favor the impeachment of the president, censure
or some other punishment?
The public may not have (apparently does not have) any idea at all as
to the ultimate consequences of 'not' impeaching a popular president, if
he is guilty of the offenses charged. Offenses suggesting that the
president seriously (and repeatedly!) violated one of the most sacred
principles of our constitution as well as his sacred oath of office.
Those tough questions are not being asked.
It does appear, however, that 'most' of the congressmen and senators, who
ultimately must take the 'poll' that will 'count' on this
matter, do well understand the conditioned response phenomenon. And, more
important, they are asking the tough questions......
They know (even without the "press" revealing it, which the press has
not!) ... that the depth of the publics feeling/understanding on this
constitutional issue is shallow. It is shallow, in part, because of the
facile questions and answers that are being asked and reported.
If the public were being challenged in the polls, with questions like:
--Should we 'minimize' the president's unlawful actions, which also
violate his oath of office to "preserve and protect" the Constitution?
--Or should he be 'impeached' for his actions and violation of his oath?
--Or should he be 'censured'?
--Which punishment, impeachment or censure, do you believe would have more
of a deterrent effect on the conduct of future presidents?
--Which punishment would have more of a deterrent effect on the conduct of
other elected officials?
--Finally, do you agree or disagree with the conclusion that the
president's punishment should be 'less' than you would receive for the
same offense?
We are not likely ever to receive the results from such a poll. It might
challenge the current "conventional wisdom" as to what the publics true
position is on this issue. Also, it is well known by pollsters (and
politicians) that polls can be used to 'shape' public opinion -- and I
suggest that is much of what we are seeing in the present polling on the
impeachment matter?!?.
Anyway, those who are dismayed at the shallowness of the public debate
so far, can take comfort in the confidence that the congressmen and
senators who must cast this soon to come 'historic' vote ... are not being
swayed by the facile polls.
They have their eyes firmly locked on a different poll -- as they should!
That is the poll that will be taken 30 or 40 years hence. The poll that
will ask their grandchildren: Did your grandfather/grandmother vote for
the "popular" public position of the moment ... or did he/she vote to
preserve and protect the Constitution???
Roy Beavers
26555 Gene Drive
Lebanon, MO 65536
(417) 588-1825
Roy Beavers (EMFguru) ...PEOPLE ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN PROFITS...
rbeavers@llion.org..............
................................It is better to light a single candle
than to curse the darkness...............................................
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Reprinted with permission of Roy Beavers, http://www.feb.se/EMF-L/EMF-L.html