Jennifer Wolak
jwolak.bsky.social
Jennifer Wolak
@jwolak.bsky.social
Even though most Americans think the country is on the wrong track, they still wish for leaders who are willing to make compromises.

People are twice as like to say they prefer leaders who make compromises over those who stick to their beliefs.

via Gallup news.gallup.com/poll/695690/...
September 29, 2025 at 10:50 PM
In a paper at SPPQ, I show the political consequences of feelings of state pride.

doi.org/10.1017/spq....

When people feel proud of the state where they live, they express greater support for state government spending and a stronger desire to devolve policy-making authority to the states.
February 26, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Americans widely agree that the problems of polarization are rooted in elites, not the public.
February 10, 2025 at 8:10 PM
I don't know if Michiganders hate Ohio so much as just judge its choices.
February 3, 2025 at 4:24 PM
In case you weren't already sure, we have scientific evidence that January is the worst month.
January 23, 2025 at 8:12 PM
A majority of Americans still want leaders who are willing to make compromises.
January 11, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Harris voters: We don't do enough to help girls and boys succeed.

Trump voters: We don't do enough to help boys succeed.
October 15, 2024 at 2:21 AM
just out with Carey Stapleton at Public Opinion Quarterly:
doi.org/10.1093/poq/...

Those with high political self-confidence express more partisan animus and greater support for out-party discrimination.

High levels of personal self-esteem, however, predict an intolerance of out-party hostility.
March 19, 2024 at 4:43 PM
Democrats own more sporks than Republicans.
March 6, 2024 at 4:47 PM
Democrats are less likely to be have received an "I love you" from a romantic interest.
February 14, 2024 at 4:39 PM
A fascinating gender gap:

Men claim to not enjoy sleeping as much as women do.
January 25, 2024 at 1:21 AM
Highlight of my day so far:
Arrival of the third edition of the amazing Oxford Handbook of Political Psychology.

1203 pages!
January 22, 2024 at 3:45 PM
Most parents don't care about their kids' political beliefs.

Even though children tend to share their parents' partisanship, only 16% of parents think it is very important to pass on their political beliefs to their kids.
January 10, 2024 at 7:43 PM
These effects emerge among both men and women in the electorate, and for Democrats and Republicans alike.

But consistent with a motivated reasoning argument, they are greatest among those with strong partisan loyalties.
January 9, 2024 at 2:25 PM
New at PGI:
I show women lawmakers are polarizing figures in politics.

When people share the same party as their MC, they give warmer ratings of women lawmakers (compared to men).

But among voters from the opposing party, women lawmakers are punished relative men.

doi.org/10.1080/2156...
January 9, 2024 at 2:23 PM
PIE CHART.
November 22, 2023 at 9:06 PM
When asked what is the most important difference between Democrats and Republicans, the most common answer is their concern about the country.

Most of the rest of the list is policy-based.
November 17, 2023 at 4:32 PM
People perceive women politicians as better at finding compromises...but they also believe that women politicians are better at standing up for what they believe in.
November 15, 2023 at 6:18 PM
Among both Democrats and Republicans, a majority believe that we need to change the design and structure of government in the United States.
November 10, 2023 at 5:48 PM
Demand for political compromise remains high.

A majority of both Democrats and Republicans want their own party to work with the opposing party, even if it means missing out on some high-priority policies.
October 20, 2023 at 2:22 PM