Change in Attitude of Party Switchers before and after an Election
Previous research has demonstrated that party switchers, individuals intending to vote for a candidate of other than the party with which they identify, exhibit greater authoritarianism and dogmatism than do non-switchers. The present study determined that switchers exhibited a smaller difference in attitude between candidates than did non-switchers. In addition, the initial attitude toward the importance of the election was intensified as a function of voting behavior. The results imply that switching may produce cognitive tension after the decision is made and that this tension may be dissipated following an oven act, such as voting, consistent with the decision.