NeuroPolitics and the Lucky Effect: Two Harvard Studies with Implications for Primary Voter Behavior

[CorpGovActivist]

For fellow students of the irrational American voter, these articles may be interesting.

- Dave
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Cover Article
http://harvardmagazine.com/2006/03/the-marketplace-of-perce.html">The Marketplace of Perceptions
Behavioral economics explains why we procrastinate, buy, borrow, and grab chocolate on the spur of the moment.
by Craig Lambert
Harvard Magazine

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<snip>

Citing Republican pollster and communications consultant Frank Luntz, Shleifer noted how the estate tax was renamed the “death tax” (although there is no tax on death) in order to successfully sell its repeal. The relabeling linked the tax to the unpleasant associations of the word “death,” and the campaign asked questions like, “How can you burden people even more at this most difficult time in their lives?” “Messages, not hard attributes, shape competition,” Shleifer said; he noted that the fear of terrorism is a bigger issue in probable non-target states like Wyoming, Utah, and Nevada than in New York and New Jersey.

<snip>

BE SURE TO NOTE THE SIDEBARS
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Fortune's Favor
http://harvardmagazine.com/2007/03/the-lucky-effect.html">The Lucky Effect
Harbour Fraser Hodder

<snip>

Pretend that you’re five years old. A grownup in a white coat tells you about Jane, who found $5 on the sidewalk; Johnny, who was splashed by a passing car; Jim, who helped his mom bake a cake; and Sue, who took a toy from her little brother. After each story the grownup asks, “How much do you like Jane ?” To answer, you must point to a large frowning face (really don’t like) or a large smiling face (really like) or one of four in-between faces. Which face would you pick?

If you’re like the 32 five- to seven-year-olds in a recent study of bias in children, you’ll surprise everyone with how much more you prefer the lucky to the unlucky kids.

<snip>
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[IdesOfOctober]

1. You read your HM?

:rofl:

Why am I not surprised?

If OBL were an alum, HM could find him.

Ides

[CorpGovActivist]

2. Sure I Do!

Bastard.

The Kerry endorsement news - if true - looks like the Luck Effect to me.

; )

- Dave

[IdesOfOctober]

3. Kerry Endorsement = Luck Effect?

That's one theory.

Ides

[CorpGovActivist]

4. What's Yours? n/t

[IdesOfOctober]

5. Still reading and formulating it.