Issues, Values, And Critical Moments - Did Johnson,Magic Transform Public-Opinion On Aids

    Authors

    P. H. Pollock

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Am. J. Polit. Sci.

    Keywords

    SYMBOLIC RACISM; POLITICS; Political Science

    Abstract

    By what process do changes occur in the way issues are perceived and evaluated by ordinary citizens? A number of scholarly accounts share this perspective: intense, value-laden communications, or ''critical moments,'' are of key importance in supplying people with symbolic frames for issues and, thus, in defining or redefining the value bases of issue conflict. Applying this perspective to the case of Earvin (''Magic'') Johnson's announcement that he had contracted the AIDS-causing virus-a critical moment in AIDS opinions fortuitously captured by interrupted time-series data-this analysis finds that heterosexual moral values define a new basis of polarization on AIDS-related policies among post-announcement respondents. Furthermore, an analysis of survey data obtained 10 months after ''Magic'' Johnson's disclosure reveals both persistence of the new value basis and erosion in the importance of moral evaluations of homosexuality, the ''old'' or established value that citizens have referenced in forming opinions about AIDS.

    Journal Title

    American Journal of Political Science

    Volume

    38

    Issue/Number

    2

    Publication Date

    1-1-1994

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    426

    Last Page

    446

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:A1994NL01500007

    ISSN

    0092-5853

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