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A micromodel of voter choice: Understanding the dynamics of Australian voter characteristics in a federal election
Author(s) -
O'Cass Aron
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
psychology and marketing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.035
H-Index - 116
eISSN - 1520-6793
pISSN - 0742-6046
DOI - 10.1002/mar.10051
Subject(s) - demographics , politics , voter registration , voter model , voting behavior , political science , federal election , psychology , social psychology , public relations , voting , sociology , law , demography , statistical physics , physics
This study focuses on applying consumer‐behavior theory to understand voter characteristics and electoral behavior. The focus is on developing a micromodel that incorporates demographics, voter involvement, political opinion leadership, political knowledge, confidence, and satisfaction. The study was undertaken in an election in Australia for a Federal Lower House of Representatives Seat. Data were gathered from a sample of registered voters, with the results showing strong support for the theory developed. The results indicated strong influences for demographics on voter involvement, resulting in a significant influence of involvement on political opinion leadership. Political opinion leadership was also shown to influence subjective voter knowledge and knowledge impacting on voter decision confidence. The findings also confirmed a strong difference in voter satisfaction depending on voter involvement. The findings have significant implications for political marketing and voter‐behavior research. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.