Lycoming College survey reveals insight into political psychology of problem tolerance

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Nov 30, 2023, 10:23 ET

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa., Nov. 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- If you've ever wondered why people are resistant to policies aimed at improving things like climate change, Ben Kantack, assistant professor of political science at Lycoming College, has some answers that may surprise you. Using original survey data, Kantack revealed that the way people process thought on an issue is often different from how that same issue is discussed by politicians and the media.

Hot button issues are often discussed in the context of policy, and opposition to a policy can be mistakenly interpreted as disbelief. For example, when policies are proposed to address climate change, those who oppose them are often viewed as climate change deniers. In reality, some who oppose the policy don't deny the existence of climate change but doubt the policy will adequately address the issue. In his study, Kantack showed that many Americans express "problem tolerance" where they agree an issue exists, but disagree on how to address it.

In addition to climate change, the national survey examined problem tolerance in the context of border insecurity, income inequality, and voter fraud.

"Too often, policy activists assume that anyone who agrees a problem exists must also agree on a solution. My research suggests this assumption doesn't hold," said Kantack. "If you want someone to support a policy, you need to convince them not only that a problem exists but also that it is causing negative outcomes, that the proposed policy can solve it, and that the benefits of the policy outweigh the costs. It might be easier to criticize those who don't believe a problem exists, but if doing so means neglecting or alienating the people who believe it exists but aren't yet sold on the solutions, it's unlikely to be effective."

Kantack added, "We become more effective political actors, as well as better citizens and humans, when we truly listen to what other people think, feel, and believe. This sort of critical thinking and civil discourse is imperative at a liberal arts and sciences institution such as Lycoming College."

Political science majors Hayden Burke '25 and Kaitlynn Mangrum '25 assisted Kantack with the classification of hundreds of open-ended survey responses through the Arthur A. Haberberger Chairman's Endowed Student-Faculty Research Program. Burke and Mangrum presented their work at a poster session and will be recognized for their work in any research publications stemming from this project.

Lycoming College's political science department provides an education in the overarching complexities of political values, institutions, processes, and policies. More information on Lycoming's political science program is available at https://www.lycoming.edu/political-science/.

About Lycoming College
Founded in 1812, Lycoming College is one of the nation's oldest and most respected liberal arts colleges. Today, our community of 1,100 active learners from 25 states and territories and 15 countries comprises a student body that is 30 percent domestic students of color or international, all of whom work with our renowned scholars to craft customized combinations of market-driven majors, minors and concentrations across our 40+ academic programs. Students compete in 19 NCAA Division III sports, participate in faculty-driven research, thrive in a robust program of internship experiences, and study abroad in more than two dozen countries. Lycoming College has one of the highest endowment-per-student ratios in the country. The institution is a member of the Annapolis Group of Liberal Arts Colleges and is recognized by The Princeton Review as one of The 389 Best Colleges. Lycoming College is dedicated to providing a high-quality liberal arts and sciences education for all students. Learn more at http://www.lycoming.edu.

SOURCE Lycoming College