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Belief network analysis: A relational approach to understanding the structure of attitudes

Publication ,  Journal Article
Boutyline, A; Vaisey, S
Published in: American Journal of Sociology
March 1, 2017

Many accounts of political belief systems conceive of themas networks of interrelated opinions, inwhich some beliefs are central and others peripheral. This article formally shows how such structural features can be used to construct direct measures of belief centrality in a network of correlations. This method is applied to the 2000 ANES data, which have been used to argue that political beliefs are organized around parenting schemas. This structural approach instead yields results consistent with the central role of political identity, which individuals may use as the organizing heuristic to filter information from the political field. In light of recent accounts of belief system heterogeneity, a search for population heterogeneity in this organizing logic was undertaken first by comparing 44 demographic subpopulations and then using inductive techniques. Contra these recent accounts, the study finds that belief systems of different groups vary in the amount of organization but not in the logic that organizes them.

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Published In

American Journal of Sociology

DOI

ISSN

0002-9602

Publication Date

March 1, 2017

Volume

122

Issue

5

Start / End Page

1371 / 1447

Related Subject Headings

  • Sociology
  • 4410 Sociology
  • 1608 Sociology
 

Citation

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ICMJE
MLA
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Boutyline, A., & Vaisey, S. (2017). Belief network analysis: A relational approach to understanding the structure of attitudes. American Journal of Sociology, 122(5), 1371–1447. https://doi.org/10.1086/691274
Boutyline, A., and S. Vaisey. “Belief network analysis: A relational approach to understanding the structure of attitudes.” American Journal of Sociology 122, no. 5 (March 1, 2017): 1371–1447. https://doi.org/10.1086/691274.
Boutyline A, Vaisey S. Belief network analysis: A relational approach to understanding the structure of attitudes. American Journal of Sociology. 2017 Mar 1;122(5):1371–447.
Boutyline, A., and S. Vaisey. “Belief network analysis: A relational approach to understanding the structure of attitudes.” American Journal of Sociology, vol. 122, no. 5, Mar. 2017, pp. 1371–447. Scopus, doi:10.1086/691274.
Boutyline A, Vaisey S. Belief network analysis: A relational approach to understanding the structure of attitudes. American Journal of Sociology. 2017 Mar 1;122(5):1371–1447.
Journal cover image

Published In

American Journal of Sociology

DOI

ISSN

0002-9602

Publication Date

March 1, 2017

Volume

122

Issue

5

Start / End Page

1371 / 1447

Related Subject Headings

  • Sociology
  • 4410 Sociology
  • 1608 Sociology