Article: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122359949981721549.html
During the recent presidential debates, many people have obviously noticed the graph representing the undecided Ohio voters down at the bottom of the screen. As these undecided voters turned the knobs on their dials, the results showed millions of viewers the reactions to what Senator Obama and Senator McCain were saying. Some may find the graph interesting while others just find them annoying. The issue with this graph is that “recent psychological experiments suggest they influence viewers’ judgments.” These reactions have been compared to a live audience reaction. When the line goes up the audience is cheering and applauding, and when it goes down the opposite. If they are airing the focus groups reactions, shouldn’t they air the live audience’s reactions as well? Better yet, if CNN is showing these reactions, the audience should be able to react to what the candidates are saying, instead of having to agree to stay quiet. Below is a video of how the graph worked during the second debate.
For 2008's presidential debates, CNN has assembled focus groups that use handheld dials to record their sentiments. Those reactions are displayed in real time on the bottom of the screen. Watch a clip of the technology in use.
Two previous studies have been done to show that audience reaction really impacts the way people think. In one study, 94 college students watched an excerpt from the 1984 election between Ronald Reagan and Walter Mondale with feedback that was changed to favor one candidate or the other. “Those who saw pro-Reagan feedback were 2.8 times more likely to say they would have voted for Mr. Reagan than those in the Mondale group; in the pro-Mondale group participants were 1.8 times more likely to say they would have voted for Mr. Mondale.”
When asked about this chart, Mr. Bohrman said, “It’s another layer of information, but I don’t buy that it’s swaying people’s votes.” But studies have already shown the opposite. Although this necessarily is not a live audiences' reaction, isn't it pretty close to it? Although the graph may have no influence on you, how might it affect undecided voters?
Discussion Questions
Do you personally think airing a focus group’s reactions sways voters’ opinions or does it keep voters engaged?
If you have noticed it, have these graphs affected your opinions about either candidate?
Do you really see a need for this graph to be shown at the bottom of the screen or should it be removed? If it should be removed, for what reasons?
3 comments:
Personally, I feel that the graph does a phenomenal job in showing the views of the Ohio population in that it gives the viewer an idea upon where the country stands as a whole. If you watch the fluctuations upon men and women, you are able to compare your thoughts upon those of others. I feel that this graph also does not give a sway in peoples votes. Its just statistics. When I watch them, I pay little attention to the statistics unless I am curious to see what other people see as positive and negative between the two candidates. The statistics are not to sway your votes. Ohio is a torn state, it does not have a dominate party as of this election. Because of this, it is crucial that each party is able to sway them as a majority to vote their way. With this graph, one is able to understand the pros and cons and to get a vague idea upon which way the state is going to lean.
Personally, I think airing a focus group’s reactions most definitely sways voters’ opinions. There is a majority phenomenon that occurs with groups of people, where if an individual sees a group acting a certain way or doing a certain thing they instinctively are persuaded. Although some people have enough common sense to act appropriately after seeing this, a lot of people are swayed by this peer movement. The graphs haven't affected my opinions about either of the candidates because, as a person who is not easily swayed by what the majority thinks, I believe that an individual should be looking closer at the policies of the candidates than their general outward appeal. As for the graph, it should removed. The reason it should be removed is because it is comprised of a group of people that I personally would not trust with knowing what's best for me. So, how can I believe they'd know what's best for this country. People should make their personal vote public at only one time. And it's not before the election, it's on election day. That's the way it's been, and that's the way it should remain.
I don't think airing a focus group's reactions sways voters opinions. In fact, I think it keeps the audience more focused. Personally, I become more intrigued while watching the reactions of other people across the world. The graphs don't affect me in terms of which candidate I like more. Actually, it shows me how many other people favor my candidate. There is a need for the graph to be shown, because it informs viewers about how the rest of the country feels about the candidates ideas for our country.
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