Citizen-Initiated Contacting: A Three City Test of SES and Need Theories

Authors

  • Carol Ann Traut

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15763/issn.2374-7781.1990.11.0.81-103

Abstract

Two theories to explain contacting have been advanced: the SES theory which argues that people with higher socioeconomic status have the resources and skills to contact and the need-awareness theory which states that contacting is motivated by need, regardless of SES. Using data from a 1985 survey of citizens in three Florida cities, these two theories were tested. Two very distinct groups of contactors emerged. Social-referent contactors were those people motivated primarily by socioeconomic status. Awareness of government officials, participation in other types of political activity, and to a lesser extent need, as measured by evaluations of city services, were also connected with social-referent contacting. Particularized-referent contactors were those who contacted because of need and awareness, regardless of socioeconomic status. That the effects of city remained significant after controlling for the other variables indicates that environmental context plays a significant yet relatively unexplored role in contacting.

References

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Published

1991-01-01

Issue

Vol. 11: Winter 1990

Section

Articles

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