Polls, Truth Sometimes At Odds

CBS' Kathy Frankovic: Political Views, Psychology Can Make People Believe In Falsehoods

(CBS)  By Kathy Frankovic, CBS News director of surveys

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How can people believe something that isn’t true?

A significant number of Americans say Saddam Hussein was personally involved in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

That number rose above 50 percent in the run-up to the war in Iraq in 2003. While that belief has since declined somewhat, for many Americans it still exists. In the latest CBS News/New York Times Poll 33 percent said they believe Saddam was personally involved in the 9/11 attacks.

As has been repeated over and over, there was and is no evidence of any such link. So why do so many people believe something that just isn’t true?

One reason might be related to the amount of time a person spends following news, something related to education and gender. Forty-four percent of those with a high school education or less say Saddam was personally involved in 9/11, while just 20 percent of college graduates say so. Thirty-eight percent of women think he was part of the attack, compared with 27 percent of men.

Another reason could involve feelings about the Iraq war itself, and the importance of reducing cognitive dissonance. The Iraq War has become a partisan issue - three in four Republicans say going to war was the right thing to do, while three in four Democrats say it was not. Nearly half of those who now say the Iraq war was the right thing to do connect 9/11 with Saddam. Consequently, 40 percent of Republicans believe Saddam was involved in 9/11, while just 27 percent of Democrats do.

Bringing down Saddam remains the key accomplishment of the war, according to the public, and those who support the war are more likely to believe this and to credit Saddam with a role in 9/11. Doing so, after all, gives them another justification for the war they support. Opponents of the war don’t have the same reason to blame Saddam.

Making a link between terrorism in general and the war in Iraq also matters. Overall, Americans are more likely to say the war in Iraq is creating more terrorists who might attack the U.S. than to say it is eliminating terrorists. But among those who believe the U.S. is eliminating terrorists by fighting in Iraq, just about half (49 percent) believe that one of those terrorists was Saddam himself!

Among Republicans, blaming Saddam is also related to the vote choice of those who say they plan to participate in a Republican primary or caucus next year. Those who support Rudy Giuliani and Fred Thompson are more likely than those who support John McCain and Mitt Romney to link Saddam with 9/11.

But finally, the belief in what isn’t true brings us back to the quality of information - to where it comes from and how it is perceived. Norbert Schwarz, a psychology professor and researcher at the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research, has conducted research (reported in this Washington Post article) that suggests that some people who are told something is false may actually remember it as being true. He measured the misperception within 30 minutes of the receipt of the information, and found that misperceptions may actually become stronger over time.

Apparently, linking one idea with another, even when it starts with a negative link, can reinforce the association between the two ideas. Howard Schuman, a University of Michigan professor emeritus and an expert in formulating polling questions, wrote in the American Association for Public Opinion Research’s member listserve about a phenomenon he observed in a Detroit-area study some years back. The Metropolitan Detroit cross-section sample was asked to identify "Joe McCarthy," he wrote. Here were some of the verbatim answers:

"Yes, a Senator accused of being a communist."
"Yes, Red communist Senator."
"Indicted for communism, a Senator?"
"Yes, communism, a Senator accused of communism."
"Yes, Joe McCarthy was a communist."
"They thought he was a communist but it was never proven."
"Communist leaning."
"Yes, Senator, communist."

Senator Joe McCarthy, of course, made a name for himself accusing other people of being communists.

Schuman called this inversion. “Inversions,” he wrote, “indicate that people (no doubt including ourselves) often remember or learn an association between two elements, but are at best vague as to its original nature.”

Inversion is not the same as getting something “wrong.” Years ago, in a CBS News/New York Times poll, one respondent said he know where El Salvador was - “in Louisiana, near Baton Rouge.” And Schuman reported one respondent’s characterization of the Tet Offensive in the Vietnam War, a response that he said was “altogether convincing.” It was: “The line in football where you have three backs and you split a wide receiver to the right. A handoff to the running back.”

Certainly, for many people, linking Saddam with 9/11 may be a case of inversion. For others, it may be wishful thinking to justify their current position on the Iraq war. Either way, it has been part of the belief system of about one-third of the country for many years, and that perception shows no sign of disappearing.

[PollM]

It seems to me the people who approve the war, are the same people that find an excuse for it. These are the same people that lack the depth to question and understand larger picture. Do you believe that Iraq had something to do with the 9/11 attacks.... ---------- http://www.youpolls.com/details.asp?pid=474

[sasi1-2009]

One only had to read and comprehend the research on Iraq BEFORE the war in order to realize there was no evidence that Iraq was involved in the 9/11 attack. I think too many people have listened to Bush, Cheney & the rest of the gang, and failed to think for themselves.

[foranc]

further evidence that people are idiots ...

[guysdigdirt]

I think too many people have listened to Bush, Cheney & the rest of the gang, and failed to think for themselves.
Posted by sasi1
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Spoken like someone who listens to the media too much.

[guysdigdirt]

It is interesting to me that the democrats ( I could include many of the US population that are "fully informed" by the media) say what they think the popular thing is to say "We should not be in Iraq". Yet they voted to send our troops there, have said they need to be there, and give no other plan for the situation at all.

Ask the tough questions of them and make them give answers.

[condumism]

Great article. This is all the proof we need that GOPigs should be required to take intelligence tests before being allowed to vote. Dumb people voting is not a reflection of democracy in any way. This is why the USA has been in steady decline since 1981, the results of the Dumbing of Americans, the number one priority of the Republicon Reicht Winged Fascist Party.

[canyoutellme-2009]

I think too many people have listened to Bush, Cheney & the rest of the gang, and failed to think for themselves.
Posted by sasi1
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Spoken like someone who listens to the media too much.
Posted by guysdigdirt at 06:28 PM : Sep 12, 2007

Guysdigdirt,

Answer the following questions. I''ll give you the answers too

1) Did Bush know *before* or *after* he told the UN and the rest of the world that the yellowcake story was false?
ANSWER: *BEFORE*. There is documented PROOF that he knew before... and he neglected to tell that to anyone. Even the speechwriter said he should have taken it out. THAT was the smoking gun, but only the president and his staff knew. This proves he LIED to get us into war

2) Did Vice-God Dck Cheney know BEFORE or AFTER we invaded Iraq that it would be a quagmire we couldn''t get out of?
ANSWER: BEFORE. In 1994 Cheney did an interview (you can view it on You-Tube) where he actually PREDICTED *EXACTLY* what would happen if we went into Iraq. Turns out he was RIGHT!! But, when he became vice pres, after he was with Haliburton, he had a "change of heart"... INTERESTING, don''t you think?

[ikez78]

Hey Kathy. It couldnt actually be because of the 9-11 murals Saddam made or the two lawsuits that showed Saddam supported al Qaed prior to the attacks, could it?

And Kathy, why the exclamation point after your sentence about people thinking Saddam was a terrorist (see www.regimeofterror.com)? I know it''s an article of faith among liberal journalists like yourself but maybe you forget about Saddam''s camps for suicide bombers? The sheltering of Abu Nidal, Abu Abbas? Abu Ayyub al Masri? Abdul Rahman Yasin?

Why do you guys in the press, other than outright bias, continue whitewashing Saddam''s terrorist past?

[might15]

Well, at least we''re finding out the education status of our bloggers, ha. The article should be an eye opener but for some of you, well leading that horse to water won''t always make him drink.

[hypnotoad72]

Oh, please. People dumb themselves down. If corporate and TV talk show people can say American children prefer ipods over education... ''nuff said. Can''t blame anyone except those who make the commercials in the mediums designed to reach the largest amount of people. Children wouldn''t know any better than what they''re taught.

When''s the last time you saw an advert promoting education and its rewards? In America... Of course, we see commercials about the rewards of that credit card, but that''s another story...

BTW: I think I might understand the bigger picture, which is why I not only support the war, I ask why other countries'' citizens aren''t participating in it; if it''s to benefit the whole world, why are so few willing? Of course, I might not understand in the end, anyway. All I can do is donate and hope things will work out for the best.

But when it comes to the internet, and even TV, a lot of it''s simply conjecture sans context and to take it to heart would be just a little bit daft.

A significant number of people also believe that 9/11 was an inside job. It is apparent that approximately one third of Americans are idiots.

[PollM]

It seems to me the people who approve the war, are the same people that find an excuse for it. These are the same people that lack the depth to question and understand larger picture. Do you believe that Iraq had something to do with the 9/11 attacks.... ---------- http://www.youpolls.com/details.asp?pid=474

[xzavierbrown]

Well a lot of people think that ISLAM IS A VICTIM...that 9/11 was a covert operation within the bush administration..that when bush leaves terrorism ends...that if you attend and watch live8..poverty end..

THE TRUTH IS WHAT LIBERAL MEDIA SAY IS THE TRUTH..

[xzavierbrown]

Posted by PollM at 09:59 PM : Sep 12, 2007
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let me guess..we ''invaded'' iraq because bush wants thier oil..is that what the ''hip'' thing during the micheal moore before he drove off in a gas guzzling suv into the sunset??

that we invaded iraq because jr wanted to revenge sr??

that saddam is an innocent man..who does not have weapons of mass destruction..is actually a pro-american DICTATOR who is not really bent on anything?? that saddam has the infrastructure to provide logstics..resoruces..and financial support NOT BECAUSE HE LOVES AL QUEDA but they both share a common desire..which is to kill you.

what is it that you are missing?? these are the very items that micheal moore was feeding you guys..where is micheal moore to defend his case?? LAUGHING ALL THE WAY TO BANK??WITH YOUR MONEY??

[PollM]

It seems to me the people who approve the war, are the same people that find an excuse for it.

Do you believe that Iraq had something to do with the 9/11 attacks.... ---------- http://www.youpolls.com/details.asp?pid=474

[moonbeam461]

Americans are too stupid, at this point to do anything...........

[moonbeam461]

When will you guys get it............I can only hope as a Canadian that we will never have to deal with an idiot like Bush gone MAD

[ubrew12]

People are more ready to believe what they already desperately WANT to believe:

Saddam caused 9-11

Bush caused 9-11

The simplest answer is generally the correct one:

Osama caused 9-11

This doesn''t mean the others should be researched. But, at some point, it''s time to admit the truth as we understand it, and move on.

[xzavierbrown]

Posted by CANYOUTELLME at 08:26 PM : Sep 12, 2007
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******

I know that you are living in an age of "inquring mind has to know" but FOR CRYING OUT LOUD...WHY IN THE HELL DO YOU WANT TO KNOW ALL THE STRATEGIC MOVEMENTS IN OUR WAR EFFORT?????????????????????????????????

ARE YOU AN ARAB????????????

OR ARE YOU ONE OF THOSE VAMPIRE LIBERAL MEDIA REPORTERS ITCHING TO GIVE AWAY MORE SECRETS..

I bet to quench your inquring mind..you would want a ''reality tv camera'' inside the pentagon when the generals draw our battleplans SO YOU AND OSAMA (OBVIOUS ENOUGH FROM HIS LAST TAPE THAT OSAMA DOES WATCH TV) CAN HAVE AN HOURS WORTH OF ENTERTAINMENT?????

If you have your way..you would have a reporter right behind every soldier in middle east..

[xzavierbrown]

Posted by MoonBeam461 at 11:29 PM : Sep 12, 2007
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IF YOU MORONS are doing what you guys are suppose to be doing..these terrorists would not funnel in this country.

Canadians are losers in plaid shirts..often high..often drunk..

WE SHOULD LOCK DOWN OUR NORTHERN BORDERS..

[moonbeam461]

You people of the US have lost your minds, if you still believe what BUSH is acting in your best interests

[ubrew12]

xzavierbrown said: "[you libs believe that] saddam is an innocent man..who does not have weapons of mass destruction..is actually a pro-american DICTATOR"

No. Libs believe Saddam had no role in 9-11, and, as the secular head of an Arab state, was, if anything, an effective DETERRENT to Al-Qaida''s incursion into Iraq, and therefore a likely ALLY in the War on Terror. Whatever Al-Qaida feelings toward the U.S., their primary effort over 40 years has been to destroy the secular heads of Arab states and replace them with theocratic (Sunni) heads.

That made Saddam a likely ally, as anyone but Bush would have known.

[libsluvsuvs]

You people of the US have lost your minds, if you still believe what BUSH is acting in your best interests
Posted by MoonBeam461 at 11:36 PM : Sep 12, 2007
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and do you think we are stupid enough to think you and canada give a really give a sh*t about anything let alone OUR BEST INTEREST??

ni gger please!

[moonbeam461]

I apologize for saying yu people........I meant to say you as Americans.........please stop BUSH

[libsluvsuvs]

Posted by ubrew12 at 11:37 PM : Sep 12, 2007
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and who told you that?? saddam?
what you have here is distrust in our govt. I am sure they have intel that act on..
honestly, why made you think that saddam would act otherwise??

[moonbeam461]

Since, I was a wee thing........I thought of the US as our protector...but things have changed.....from Nova Scotia, Canada

[libsluvsuvs]

I apologize for saying yu people........I meant to say you as Americans.........please stop BUSH
Posted by MoonBeam461 at 11:39 PM : Sep 12, 2007
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******

ask fanatic islamic jihadist TO STOP KILLING..then we talk..

germany, denmark and spain decided NOT TO HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH IRAQ..well what did they get for that???

[moonbeam461]

I just wish that the US would admit that BUSH should be impeached

[moonbeam461]

Is there anyone in this discussion with half a brain.........

[ubrew12]

libsluvsuvs said: "and who told you that?? saddam?"

Saddam didn''t need to tell me that Al-Qaida is a extremist Islamic group that wants religious authority and law placed over secular authority in all Muslim countries.

Secondarily, they want to conquer the world but that dog don''t hunt...

Remember what neighboring Syria, under Hassan, did to Al-Qaida devotees when they got too belligerant about 15 years ago (30,000 dead). Saudi Arabia still regularly purges itself of Al-Qaida elements. Egypt likewise. But, they never raised their ugly heads in Iraq... why? (Think about what Saddam has done to the far more credible threats of Kurdish and Shiite independence of the years, and you''ll know why).

[libsluvsuvs]

Since, I was a wee thing........I thought of the US as our protector...but things have changed.....from Nova Scotia, Canada
Posted by MoonBeam461 at 11:42 PM : Sep 12, 2007
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you are in the best place in the world..nestled between 2 powers...the north pole and the United States of America..you guys know that we would not allow anything to happen to you guys..FOR OUR LOGISTICS REASONS (not because we are friend countries) *come on..you know each tribe has to protect each own. I am protecting my tribe.*

[moonbeam461]

Call me crazy........but I think that every American should be held accountable for the deaths of every soldier.....because they didn''t step up to BUSH

[libsluvsuvs]

Posted by ubrew12 at 11:48 PM : Sep 12, 2007
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*****

In all honesty, i have not choice but to trust our federal govt. to do what they need to do to STOP TERRORISM..I agreed with bush when he decided to PROACTIVELY fight terrorism instead of REACTING to terrorism. MY IRRITATION IN IRAQ..is that we are bogged down in iraq when we should be moving on..I am looking at Syria or Iran.
Stop fooling yourself in thinking that bush is a master conquisadores ready to make iraq another state because we were never in ''invading'' business. we are in the middle east to protect our interest and what is that interest..well you will find out soon enough when you run out of gas..

[libsluvsuvs]

Posted by MoonBeam461 at 11:51 PM : Sep 12, 2007
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******

yes you are crazy..and I think you should just sit down and light up a joint becuase I DONT EVEN KNOW WHY YOU ARE SO CONCERNED becuse I KNOW YOU REALLY DONT GIVE DIDDLY ABOUT OUR SOLDIERS AT ALL.

[ubrew12]

libsluvsuvs said: "you will find out soon enough when you run out of gas.." We have too many options to run out of gas. We protect Canada, why? We get most of our foreign oil from Alberta. We have plenty of oil of our own. Modern processes can turn coal into oil, corn into oil. So Mideast oil doesn''t need to be monopolized, except that its the easiest option for the current power structure, which may explain our presence in Iraq. I agree its probably a reason. I''d prefer that the govt level with us if thats the case. Tell us that''s why we''re sacrificing soldiers and treasury: and tell us who benefits the most from that kind of protection.

[cofmanaaron]

Finally, statistical proof that more republicans than democrats are complete idiots. Remembering something that you are told isn''t true as true? I''m sorry, but you have to be pretty stupid to think in that manner. For their justification though, Bush and his administration have lied to the American people repeatedly about the non-connection between Saddam and Osama, saying there was a link when there was not one at all. It''s just that most republicans have to little brain power to form an independant thought besides ''Git R Done''.

[destinydreams]

No matter how much people don''t like President Bush, or the Americans because of him. People tend to Judge without knowing how their life would be in "his " shoes. Who all remembers the power of the United Nations when they''re not happy with the war in in Irqa. If Bush is such a bad president like some people make him look....remember the next cpresident may not have done half as good as Bush. I don''t like the munipulation in the goverment and seeems finally see that. by the way how can Bush be blamed for all the murdering, killins, rape, robbery......listen i think we need to start right within us...we need to change our familys and our communities will get better and the joy and happiness will spread and change this world.

[meboard]

Amen cofmanaaron!!!

P.S. libsluvsuvs, you''re a moron!

[brianbwb-2009]

"How can people believe something that isn%u2019t true?
A significant number of Americans say Saddam Hussein was personally involved in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon."

This is because Bush, in his desperation to start an illegal war, allowed and encouraged his agitprop crew to use a gullible and sycophantic mass media to stir up religious intolerance and fear among his supporters, playing on the racism and xenophobia that is ingrained into too many Americans. Saddam was linked by association, as the leader of an Islamic nation.

Don''t forget, we had to ask Muhammad Ali to call for calm in the wake of anti Islam violence that saw even non Muslim Sikhs beaten by "white" racists, because of their tradition of wearing a turban, when the vast majority of Muslims don''t even wear one.

The 9/11 BS is still trumpeted by pro war supporters, who run out of logic when confronted with the incontrovertible fact that Bush lied, and the reasons for this "war" are all false.

[brianbwb-2009]

It also has not escaped notice that the journalism industry has done little or nothing to dispel the false assumptions they themselves helped spread, in fact, they continue to bias their reporting toward the Bush administrations original lies, sort of like positing that water is dry, then basing all subsequent reports and opinions on the original false assumption.

The "war" is illegal, based on the fact that the original reasons for it are lies, but the press is amazingly, even obscenely silent on this point.

[adventurepa]

If you repeat a lie often enough it will become history.
Just like the midnight ride of ---------?
If you say Paul Revere you are wrong.
But it has been repeated in the song of the 1800''s that it has become truth.

That''s the idea. Repeat it often enough and people will believe it.

Watch the movie.
http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/

http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/

People are idiots.

[adventurepa]

William Dawes and Paul Revere were dispatched to rouse the country. Samuel Prescott joined them enroute. They ran into a British patrol and Revere was captured. Dawes and Prescott got away.
Longfellow''s "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere."
Should have been "The Midnight Ride of William Dawes"
Revere only rode like 3 miles were Dawes rode much further.
But did not rhyme in the song.
See history can be changed if you repeate a lie enough times.

[shingles1]

Where''s lars008 when you need him.

[cosmicfluke]

It''s amazing, the power of willfull ignorance in this country.

The facts are that this war was all about oil, and about the dollar as international currency. From the beginning, I said that we were going over there to stay, and that we would reduce Iraq to a 3rd world country unable to pump any of it''s own oil, thereby insuring high oil prices (traded on the dollar, not the euro).

ANYBODY who believes otherwise is either a fool, or a deliberately blinded GOP supporter.

[myidoncbs]

"Those who support Rudy Giuliani and Fred Thompson are more likely than those who support John McCain and Mitt Romney to link Saddam with 9/11."

Note that Rudy and Fred are the two with the ENTIRELY manufactured reputations. They pretend to be the "tough on crime", authoritarian type, but there is no substance to back it up.

Conclusion: repugs who stu-pidly persist in believing Saddam had anything to do with 9/11 are looking for a strong "daddy" to save them. When we inform them of their error (no connection between Iraq and Saddam, no WMD, no "greeting us with flowers", the surge isn''t working, etc.) they revert to childhood and call us names.

2nd conclusion: 30% of this country is totally insane.

[dmgenet]

Who knows what lurks in the minds of true believers. Delusional? Concrete? Frightened? All fo the above? Obviously the only remaining ones that support Bush; and even a lie is better than disbelief. I guess it hurts to think outside of the bunker.

[noloyalisti]

Remember that it was the mainstream media including Faux News, CNN, MSN and the New York Times who gave the clueless and ignorant chickenhawk bush the platform to spread his lies about Saddam, 911 and Al Quada.

Make no mistake, the same CEOs that are making huge profits by killing in Iraq, and by the way who are allowing the neo-cons to beat the drum for war in Iran, are still behind this administration.

This is so much like what happened in Nazi Germany

[dmgenet]

"Remember that it was the mainstream media including Faux News, CNN, MSN and the New York Times who gave the clueless and ignorant chickenhawk bush the platform to spread his lies about Saddam, 911 and Al Quada."

I agree; the mainstream media betrayed the public trust as did the White House, Senate and House. Still the public is unabsolved of using critical thinking skills and seeking the truth. The Knight-Ridder media chain was not fooled on the runup to the war, during the war and now. They provided in depth coverage on the run up to the Iraq war and were right from the start.

[noloyalisti]

It just makes me so sick that so many people listen to the mainstream propaganda. I guess people like me just know too much to fall for it.

For example 1/3 of Americans think Saddam had something to do with 911 (40% of Republicans. I think that says something about the Government of Pigs.

More people than not think we are winning in Iraq. What are we winning? The right to steal? If people knew the extent of war profiteering, they would be out in the streets protesting every week like I am. Well I am paying for it and I am sick of it. I will not let anyone get away with advocating the killing or spreading the propaganda. Heil!!

[samsel3]

Mainstream media cannot tell the truth about Iraq and the reasons for going to war. A close friend of mine and multi-award winning journalist working for a Boston TV station told me that the corporations who own the networks will not allow any of their employees to discuss or promote BIG CORPORATIONS,BIG OIL, and Bush and Cheney''s real oil& gas profit motivated agendas for invading Afghanistan & Iraq.