Polarization and Compromise

A Value Approach to the Understanding of Mass Political Attitudes on Abortion

Abstract

This research attempts to explain the sources of abortion attitudes among individuals. The proposed model moves beyond a single value-attitude formulation to a consideration of the interrelationship among core values. The result of holding equally strong and conflicted values relevant to the issue is a decrease in the strength with which abortion attitudes are held. Support for the theoretical framework comes from a survey (N=437). The results indicate that the various components of attitude strength appear to be sufficiently independent dimensions of involvement with the abortion issue, and conflict between relevant core values is associated with a decrease in attitude strength for most of the attitude strength measures.