How Indirect Questioning Techniques May Promote Democracy: A Preelection Polling Experiment. Issue 4 (4th July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Waubert de Puiseau, Berenike; Hoffmann, Adrian; Musch, Jochen
• Is Part Of: Basic and applied social psychology. Volume 39:Issue 4(2017)
• Page Start: 209
• Page End: 217
• Publication Date: 2017-07-04
• Subjects: Social psychology -- Periodicals; 302.05
• DOI: 10.1080/01973533.2017.1331351
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0197-3533

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Socially desirable responding may cause differences between preelection polls and election outcomes. Bias-free preelection polls are, however, important because they influence election outcomes. Benefiting from a unique opportunity, we experimentally controlled social desirability using the Crosswise Model in a poll prior to the German federal election in 2013. We found that due to strategic voting, outcome expectations were related to voting intentions; the election outcome was therefore likely distorted by social desirability bias in preelection polls. We recommend using indirect questioning techniques whenever a vote for at least one of the competing parties may be perceived as socially undesirable.