Photo of a man and child standing in front of a gate around the Capitol.
Survey report

After the Ballots are Counted: Conspiracies, Political Violence, and American Exceptionalism

Daniel A. Cox February 11, 2021

The January 2021 American Perspectives Survey looks at post-election sentiments, beliefs in conspiracies, attitudes toward political violence, political segregation, and general feelings toward the United States. Continue Reading →

Survey report

A Turning Point? Americans Grapple With COVID-19 Amid Enduring Partisan and Racial Divisions

Daniel A. Cox, Karlyn Bowman December 9, 2020

The November 2020 APS explores how Americans are grappling with COVID-19 amid soaring numbers of infections. Though large partisan divisions persist, more Americans say they would get a free, FDA-approved vaccine. It also challenges the “shy Trump voter” hypothesis and explores possible explanations for Trump’s increased support among non-white voters. Continue Reading →

Commentary

Could Social Alienation Among Some Trump Supporters Help Explain Why Polls Underestimated Trump Again?

Daniel A. Cox November 24, 2020

There was a large swing to Trump among white voters who had low levels of social trust — a group that researchers have found is also less likely to participate in telephone surveys. Continue Reading →

Commentary

The 2020 Election Was a Perfect Example of the Weaknesses — and Strengths — of Political Polls

Daniel A. Cox November 19, 2020

For those of us interested in understanding the world, polling offers an incredibly useful and cost-effective tool. It’s critical that we get it right. Continue Reading →

Blog

Biden’s Message of Unity is Welcomed by Most Americans

Samuel J. Abrams November 13, 2020

Biden’s desire to move past the divisiveness that has marked the Trump presidency, the question that follows is simple: Are Americans actually open to working with others and trying to find the middle ground? Continue Reading →

Blog

The 2020 Election Was Not Primarily About Trump As a Person

Samuel J. Abrams November 9, 2020

Biden will have the challenge of finding common ground with all Americans, but Biden already took the right steps when he declared in his acceptance speech that “It’s time to put away the harsh rhetoric, lower the temperature, see each other again, listen to each other again.” Continue Reading →

Blog

The 2020 Religion Vote

Daniel A. Cox November 6, 2020

Religious voters lined up behind their preferred candidates in familiar ways in the 2020 presidential election, but there were some notable shifts. Continue Reading →

Blog

Don’t Believe the Trump Hype: Who is Actually Protesting in 2020

Samuel J. Abrams October 21, 2020

Even with COVID-19 dominating the news and people being asked to stay home and social distance, Americans are leaving their homes to protest the state of the nation ahead of the November Presidential election. Continue Reading →

Photo of nails on a board with blue string connecting the heads.
Event

Socially distant: How our divided social networks explain our politics

Jacqueline Clemence October 2, 2020

In the midst of a heated presidential election, health pandemic, and social unrest, it is important to understand how those around us shape our thinking and influence our behavior. Continue Reading →

Photo of a Trump campaign lawn sign next to a Biden campaign lawn sign.

Socially Distant: How Our Divided Social Networks Explain Our Politics

Daniel A. Cox, Ryan Streeter, Samuel J. Abrams, Jacqueline Clemence September 30, 2020

The American National Social Network Survey explains how personal networks and relationships condition personal behavior and influence decisions. Continue Reading →

Survey Reports

Generation Z and the Transformation of American Adolescence Cover Image

Daniel A. Cox, Kelsey Eyre Hammond, Kyle Gray
November 9, 2023

Generation Z and the Transformation of American Adolescence: How Gen Z’s Formative Experiences Shape Its Politics, Priorities, and Future

This report explores the foundational differences between American generations through their formative adolescent experiences. Continue Reading →

Young man sitting in a dark room before a wall featuring various conspiracy theory-related items illuminated by a computer screen

Daniel A. Cox, M. Anthony Mills, Ian R. Banks, Kelsey Eyre Hammond, Kyle Gray
September 28, 2023

America’s Crisis of Confidence: Rising Mistrust, Conspiracies, and Vaccine Hesitancy After COVID-19

America is experiencing a crosscutting crisis of expertise and scientific distrust accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic that poses significant challenges to democratic debate and public decision-making Continue Reading →

A cartoon showing a vibrant office from the ceiling view.

Daniel A. Cox, Brent Orrell, Kyle Gray, Jessie Wall
September 14, 2023

The Social Workplace: Social Capital, Human Dignity, and Work in America, Volume II

The Social Workplace, Volume II examines Americans’ expectations and experiences surrounding work, the workplace, and key job-related priorities such as pay and interpersonal connections. Continue Reading →

An empty debate stage featuring red and blue podiums below a stage light face an audience of nearly-empty seats.

Daniel A. Cox, Ruy Teixeira
June 29, 2023

The 2024 Presidential Election: Evolving Political Coalitions and Familiar Partisan Divisions

Ahead of the 2024 presidential election, the AEI Survey Center on American Life conducted a national survey of Americans that explored a wide range of political attitudes, current voting preferences, and perceptions of the political parties. Continue Reading →