Survey Questions Used in the Experiment

Measured prior to experimental treatment:

Threat: How likely do you think it is that the US will suffer a terrorist attack sometime in the next 12 months? Would you say very likely, somewhat likely, somewhat unlikely, or very unlikely? [0=Very likely, .25 = Somewhat likely, .75 =Somewhat unlikely, 1=Very unlikely]

Hawkishness (pretest measure): Which of the following statements comes closer to your view: a. The best way to ensure peace is through military strength or b. Good diplomacy is the best way to ensure peace.[0= Good diplomacy is the best way to ensure peace, 1= The best way to ensure peace is through military]

Partisanship: Generally speaking, do you usually think of yourself as a Republican, a Democrat, an Independent, or what? (IF REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT) Would you call yourself a strong [REPUBLICAN/DEMOCRAT] or a not very strong [REPUBLICAN/DEMOCRAT]? (IF INDEPENDENT, OTHER) Do you think of yourself as closer to the Republican or Democratic party? (7-point scale constructed from answers to above questions; 1=Strong Democrat, 2=Weak Democrat, 3= Lean Democrat, 4=Independent, 5=Lean Republican, 6=Weak Republican, 7=Republican)

Measured after exposure to experimental treatment:

Militarism: Some people believe the United States should solve international problems only by using diplomacy and other forms of international pressure and use military force only if absolutely necessary. Suppose we put such people on a scale that goes from 1 to 7, placing them at the end of the scale numbered "1." Other people believe that diplomacy and pressure often fail and the U.S. must be ready to use military force. Suppose these people are at the other end of the scale, at point number "7." And, of course, other people fall into positions in-between, at points 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. Where would you place YOURSELF on this scale?

1. U.S. should solve problems only with diplomacy and international pressure

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7. U.S. must be ready to use military force

[Recoded to vary between 0 and 1]

Foreign policy index: Foreign policy index is an additive, 5-item index, consisting of questions on spending on foreign aid, defense, and homeland security/ war on terror, support for the war in Iraq, approval of the president’s handling of terrorism. The index ranges from -1 to 1, with higher values are more hawkish. (Cronbach’s alpha = .68):”

Spending on foreign aid/defense/homeland security and war on terror: Should federal spending on foreign aid [foreign aid, defense, homeland security/war on terror] be increased, decreased, or kept about the same? (-1=decreased, 0=kept the same, 1=increased)

Iraq war support: Taking everything into account, do you disagree or agree with this statement: The U.S. war in Iraq has been worth the cost. [0=strongly disagree, .25=disagree, 0=neither agree or disagree, .75=agree, 1=strongly agree]

Presidential approval of war on terror: All things considered, do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling the war on terrorism? [0=strongly disapprove, .25 = somewhat disapprove, .75 = somewhat approve, 1=strongly approve]

Source: Polimetrix experiment of foreign policy attitudes, December 2006. Shana Kushner Gadarian, principal investigator