Project of

Basics of Organiasational Behavior

Prepared by: - Pankti Khandwala

14bal027 Group – 9

Sticking with your vote: - Cognitive Dissonance and Political

Attitudes
This theory says that when an individual votes for a particular candidate, he has a favorable
opinion regarding him in future.

One common belief is that: -

Voting is based on preferences or beliefs of a person. If a person does any activity which is
anticlerical to this beliefs, may unknowingly change his beliefs in order to remove this
discomfort of having inconsistent action.

This theory assumes that most people consider themselves to be truthful unless they get a strong
incentive to act otherwise.

Dissonance is not limited to cases where people are trying to persuade other people. Since 1959,
this theory extends to a large context; including socialization of children, curing snale phobia,
attraction among people, gambling, conservation of water etc.

Getting back to the context of voting; this theory states the two years after voting for a particular
candidate a citizen may still hold a good opinion about him; rather than facing internal
discomfort of having voted for a candidate of poor opinion. This finding is important for
politicians.

The results of the experiment conducted are presented in 2 sections. Section 1 displays they data
and methodology. Whereas results that show the voting age regulations are given in Section 2.
Results that show the variations in turnout inn presidential and non presidential year is given in
section 3. Section 4 gives us the conclusions of the result for voting behavior.
 Empirical methodology and data: -
The man hypothesis for testing is : - voting for a candidate today, increases the good
opinion about that candidate are more likely to vote for him i.e. individuals having
positive feelings about candidate A will be likely to vote for him.
Age Restriction: -
During this survey (1976- 1996) the minimum voting age in USA was 18years. Those
who were 17 and below were ineligible voters show more polarization in their opinion
than ineligible voters
Equation presented: -
Opinion of President it =
A+B Eligiblei (t – l) +cPartyi
+d (Eligiblei (t – l)*Partyi) +Eit.
The observations were summarized with a table.

B) Presidential year Turnout:-

The second test shows that there are higher turnout presidential elections years than in interim
election years.

C) Presidential Election Year Turnout Results: -

Senator’s elections occur in presidential and interim election years. Americans more likely to
vote for congress when there is a presidential race.

Senator’s elections may differ in presidential and non presidential years. This is because there is
more media spollient on the elections during presidential years which increases polarization.

D) Implications for Voting Behavior: -

The act of voting will strengthen future opinion about that candidate. This finding and results is
very important for political capital of politicians. Thus, in a two party race, more than half of
voters; vote for the winner therefore elected candidates get a boost in their rates due to
dissonance. This theory further states that polarization is small, but still exists at time of
reelection and this will our translate into voting behavior.