The Associative Dimension of Issue Ownership

2012/06/05 by Stefaan Walgrave, S. Walgrave, J. Lefevere +3 · 14 citations
Social Sciences · Business, Management and Accounting · #Electoral Systems and Political Participation #Political Influence and Corporate Strategies #Social Media and Politics

paper · doi:10.1093/poq/nfs023

Abstract

Issue ownership is commonly conceptualized as multidimensional, consisting of a “competence” dimension and an “associative” dimension. Because existing operationalizations of issue ownership tap only the former dimension, we focus on associative issue ownership: the spontaneous identification between specific issues and specific parties in the minds of voters. Survey evidence from Belgium shows that the associative dimension of issue ownership can be measured, that it differs from competence issue ownership, and that it is an independent determinant of voting behavior.

Citations

• Framing, Agenda Setting, and Priming: The Evolution of Three Media Effects Models
• Riding the Wave and Claiming Ownership Over Issues: The Joint Effects of Advertising and News Coverage in Campaigns

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