Student Type
Undergraduate
College Affiliation
College of Science, Technology, and Health
Department
Psychology, Sociology, and Public Health
Submission Type
Oral Presentation
Abstract
With the recent overturning of Roe v Wade, abortion is at the forefront of many political discussions. This study aims to investigate how exposure to a politically charged topic (abortion) versus a general heath topic (Cancer) affects a person’s bias and social identity. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: abortion or cancer and then completed measures on collective self-esteem, global self-esteem, Conservatism, in-group bias, and demographics. The younger group rated republicans more favourable (t(198) = 2.48, p < .01)., had less abortion knowledge (t(103) = -2.51, p < .01)., and were higher in core conservatism ((t(200) = 2.9, p < .01) compared to the older group. Republicans (in a forced choice question) rated themselves higher and democrats lower, were higher in conservatism, but were lower in prochoice attitudes and abortion knowledge (all p’s < .001). There were no significant differences in conservatism, pro-choice attitudes, and political bias when comparing states with legal abortion access versus illegal abortion laws.
Recommended Citation
Jones, Justice and Chisango, Rumbidzai, "Post Roe v. Wade: Evaluation of Abortion Attitudes" (2023). 2023 Student Academic Showcase. 7.
https://digitalcommons.lindenwood.edu/src_2023/Oral_Presentations/Session2/7
Included in
Post Roe v. Wade: Evaluation of Abortion Attitudes
With the recent overturning of Roe v Wade, abortion is at the forefront of many political discussions. This study aims to investigate how exposure to a politically charged topic (abortion) versus a general heath topic (Cancer) affects a person’s bias and social identity. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: abortion or cancer and then completed measures on collective self-esteem, global self-esteem, Conservatism, in-group bias, and demographics. The younger group rated republicans more favourable (t(198) = 2.48, p < .01)., had less abortion knowledge (t(103) = -2.51, p < .01)., and were higher in core conservatism ((t(200) = 2.9, p < .01) compared to the older group. Republicans (in a forced choice question) rated themselves higher and democrats lower, were higher in conservatism, but were lower in prochoice attitudes and abortion knowledge (all p’s < .001). There were no significant differences in conservatism, pro-choice attitudes, and political bias when comparing states with legal abortion access versus illegal abortion laws.