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Age and political behavior: A comparison of attitudes and behavior in 1972 and 1984
Abstract
The fastest growing cohort in the society are those in the over 85 year group. As age shifts continue, questions arise as to the effect of these demographic changes in the American political system. There is considerable cross-sectional research that uses age as a control; however, the comparability of the findings is problematic. This research addresses the following problem areas: (1) differences in political attitudes and behaviors that associate with age; (2) age cohorts that exhibit change in political attitudes and behavior over time; and (3) the usefulness of age as a predictor of political attitudes and behavior. This study analyzes responses from the two random samples drawn in 1972 and 1984 by the Social Research Institute, University of Michigan. In order to achieve comparability, the samples, questions, items, measures, and mathematical values on each set were as identical as possible. Generalizability is achieved by an adequate sample size of more than 2000 for each year studied and by random selection of subjects. Age of respondent is used as independent variable. Dependent variables include measures of political attitudes, activities, and behavior. Control variables include sex, race, income, education, political partisanship, and self-classified liberal or conservative status. Analysis of data included contingency tables which yielded associations, T-Tests and analysis of variance to determine differences among and between cohorts and samples, and forced entry regression to determine predictive value of the independent and control variables. The findings show significant associations between age and political attitudes, activities, and behavior. There is a positive association between age and attitudes toward women's issues and civil rights issues. Age associates positively with interest in political campaigns and conservatism. A curvilinear relationship exists between age and voting behavior. No significant association was found between age and candidate preference or political partisanship. Age, however, did not prove to be a significant and consistent predictor of political attitudes, activities, and behavior. In regard to age cohorts, the youngest age groups demonstrated the most significant shifts in attitudes between the measurement points while the oldest age groups' attitude changes over time was insignificant. Finally, the study provides significant evidence of age graded attitudes and behaviors. (Abstract shortened with permission of author.)
Subject Area
Political science
Recommended Citation
Powell, Falvey Charles, "Age and political behavior: A comparison of attitudes and behavior in 1972 and 1984" (1987). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI8803768.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI8803768