Altering the Foundations of Support for the President Through Priming

• DOI: 10.2307/1963531
• Publication Date: 2006-05-06T10:58:12Z
• Authors: Jon A. Krosnick; Donald R. Kinder
• Keywords: Priming (agriculture); Reagan administration; Public domain; Public support

The disclosure that high officials within the Reagan administration had covertly diverted to Nicaraguan Contras funds obtained from secret sale of weapons Iran provides us with a splendid opportunity examine how foundations popular support shift when dramatic events occur. According our theory priming , more attention media pay particular domain—the public is primed it—the citizens will incorporate what they know about domain into their overall judgment president. Data 1986 National Election Study confirm intervention in Central America loomed larger public's assessment President Reagan's performance after Iran-Contra than before. Priming was most pronounced for aspects opinion directly implicated by news coverage, apparent political notices' judgments experts', and stronger evaluations assessments his character.