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Reframing Climate Change: It’s as Much Cultural as Scientific

By Guest PostMarch 16, 2011Culture, EnvironmentAl Gore, andy hoffman, climate change, climate change exists, debate, democrats, diagnostic, Environment, evidence of global warming, logic schism, man made phenomena, newspaper editorials, political ideology, prognostic, republicans, united states, university of michigan

ANN ARBOR, Mich.— While debate on climate change often strikes a caustic tone, the real impediment to meaningful dialogue is that the two sides often talk past each other in what amounts to a “logic schism,” says a University of Michigan researcher.

“In a logic schism, a contest emerges in which opposing sides are debating different issues, seeking only information that supports their position and disconfirms their opponents’ arguments,” said Andy Hoffman, the Holcim (U.S.) Professor of Sustainable Enterprise at U-M’s Ross School of Business and School of Natural Resources and Environment. “Each side views the other with suspicion, even demonizing the other, leading to a strong resistance to any form of engagement, much less negotiation and concession.” (more…)

It’s all in a Name: ‘Global warming’ versus ‘Climate change’

By Guest PostMarch 9, 2011Environmentamericans, climate change, conservative think tanks, democrats, general changes, global climate change, global warming, jonathon schuldt, levels of belief, liberal think tanks, norbert schwarz, partisan divide, phenomenon, political orientation, political think tank, republicans, sara konrath, temperature, temperature increases, wording matters, world weather

ANN ARBOR, Mich.— Many Americans are skeptical about whether the world’s weather is changing, but apparently the degree of skepticism varies systematically depending on what that change is called.

According to a University of Michigan study published in the forthcoming issue of Public Opinion Quarterly, more people believe in “climate change” than in “global warming.” (more…)

Political Narratives On Race, Southern Identity Influence National Elections

By Guest PostMarch 8, 2011Politicsafrican american, american south, americans, christina moss, democratic party, democrats, factor, god fearing, Obama, political power, President Obama, racial prejudice, regionalism, republicans, southern states, white voters, zell miller

New research from North Carolina State University shows how attempts to define the South by Republicans and Democrats may have set the stage for President Obama’s victories in Southern states – and shaped the way Americans view themselves.

“Every presidential election is a chance to discuss what it means to be American,” says Dr. Christina Moss, teaching assistant professor of communication at NC State and author of a paper on the research. “The South garnered a great deal of attention in the 2004 election season, and the narratives from that election may provide clues to Obama’s success in 2008.” (more…)

Fighting Words: Violent Political Rhetoric Fuels Violent Attitudes

By Guest PostJanuary 24, 2011Politicsamericans, arizona, combat, daily life, democrats, disease, drugs, fight, gabrielle giffords, nathan kalmoe, negative consequences, non violent text, party affiliation, political leaders, political rhetoric, political violence, poverty, republicans, social problems, terrorism, us house candidates, violent attitudes, violent language, war, words

ANN ARBOR, Mich.— Political leaders regularly promise to “fight” for noble causes and “combat” pressing problems. They declare “war” on social problems, such as poverty, disease, drugs and terrorism.

This violent political rhetoric—whether politicians intend to or not—can enflame violent attitudes in many Americans, especially those predisposed to behave aggressively in daily life, according to new University of Michigan research involving three studies. (more…)

Tag Archives: democrats

Reframing Climate Change: It’s as Much Cultural as Scientific

It’s all in a Name: ‘Global warming’ versus ‘Climate change’

Political Narratives On Race, Southern Identity Influence National Elections

Fighting Words: Violent Political Rhetoric Fuels Violent Attitudes