Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: Non-response or non-participation can introduce selection bias in the analytic results by confounding the behavioral parameters of interest with parameters that determine response. By incorporating a model of selection into the data likelihood function, it is possible to correct potential selection bias. Correctly specified full information maximum likelihood (FIML) methods should be able to correct for selection bias even in discrete choice models with truncated data when no data is available for non-respondents or non-participants. Unfortunately, attempts to implement such methods have not been very successful. This paper carefully examines the FIML approach for estimating discrete choice models with truncated data in order to better understand the difficulties with implementing this estimation technique. Simulation results are used to demonstrate the difficulty implementing FIML estimates. Given the failure of FIML methods, alternative estimation techniques are proposed.

Publication Type: Proceeding
Abstract: How does presidentialism affect democratic representation, both in theory and in practice? In this paper, part of a larger book project, we build on our previous research (Samuels and Shugart 2003), which argued that all else equal, presidentialism impedes representation based on prospective government “mandates.” Inspired by and building on research on Latin America by Susan Stokes (2001), here we empirically test the hypothesis that presidentialism works against prospective mandates by exploring the incidence of “policy-switching” under different democratic constitutional formats: presidentialism, semi-presidentialism, and parliamentarism. We compare the campaign promises and enacted policies before and after every democratic election around the world between 1978 and 2002 (N=384), and we confirm our hypothesis: on this measure at least, mandate-representation is far less likely under presidentialism, in particular under minority government. We explore the implications of our findings for theories of democratic representation through political parties.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: A cognitive priming/spreading activation frame and a lexical decision task paradigm were employed to understand the effects of playing a sexually explicit video game with female “objectification” content on male players. Men who played the sexually explicit video game recognized words with sexual connotations and words describing women as sex objects more quickly than did men in the control conditions. Men who played the sexually explicit game also displayed an increased tendency to engage in sexual harassment compared to men who played non-sexual video games. The anticipated interaction between sex-typing and the sexually explicit video game condition was not found. Overall, the study provides strong empirical evidence that a sexually explicit video game with themes of female “objectification” may prime thoughts related to sex, encourage men to view women as sex objects, and increase the likelihood of self reported tendencies to behave inappropriately toward women in social situations.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: This study, grounded on the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM), examines why the individuals impose more salience on one issue instead of other ones, which is beyond the Agenda Setting effects. Using NES 2004 data and multivariate analysis, the results suggest that some routine issues, such as the job and standard living issues, were viewed as salient because the individuals’ pertinence for and involvement in them keep the issue in their central information-processing route, regardless of the media coverage’s intensity on the issue. The study implies that individuals’ responsibility of thinking is also related to the perceived salience of the issue.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Different levels of agent prominence in a sentence (active voice, passive voice with the agent present, and passive voice with the agent missing) were examined as possible variables within the Elaboration Likelihood Model of persuasion. Agent prominence did not affect persuasion as a modifier of motivation. The data supports agent prominence acting as a central cue. There was a significant interaction effect of agent prominence and argument strength on the amount of outcome-relevant and value-relevant involvement the messages produced. There was also a main effect for argument strength.