Final Appendix

2014-2015
Purdue Institute for Civic Communication
CIVIC COMPETENCE POLLS
May 13, 2015
Ambassador Carolyn Curiel
Executive Director, PICC
Professor, Brian Lamb
School of Communication
AN EDUCATION
IN AND ABOUT
THE REAL WORLD

ABOUT THE POLL
2
PICC CIVIC COMPETENCE POLL
In the last year, the PICC Polling Unit, comprised of undergraduate students from the liberal arts
and engineering at Purdue University, worked under the direction of Professor Carolyn Curiel to
create polls measuring to what extent American citizens are invested in civic society: how much
they know, how much they contribute, and what matters most to them. Hundreds of questions
with answer choices were created, then debated and revised countless times.
The result was a series of four surveys with a unique perspective, that of undergraduate
students who hope to discern where they can make an impact in their world. The polls were
conducted from October 2014 to April 2015 with assistance from Penn Schoen Berland, which
polled a total of about 4,500 Americans online. The students, certified by Purdue University as
researchers, spent weeks poring over data, analyzing responses against demographics to
achieve a useful measure of Americans’ civic competence.
Also assisting the students were Dr. Glenn Sparks, Professor of communication, political
science doctoral candidates Katie Cahill and Robert Kulzick, the Purdue Office of Institutional
Assessment, and PICC’s Advisory Team of accomplished professionals.
The polls were conducted as an applied learning experience that required solid research and
data analyses, a cross-disciplinary project that could help these young people, and others, to
better understand their nation, divisions, unity, fears, and aspirations.

OUR STUDENTS
3
PICC UNDERGRADUATE
POLLING UNIT
• Mason Arnoldy, Senior in Aeronautical Engineering from Brownsburg, Indiana
• Rachel Bibler, Senior in Mass Communication from Warsaw, Indiana
• Liz Bitzer, Senior in Public Relations and Strategic Communication from Cincinnati, Ohio
• Hannah Compton, Senior in Corporate Communication from Fishers, Indiana
• Cecilia Daizovi, Graduating Senior in Public Relations and Strategic Communication
from Washington, D.C.
• Jonathan Goodwin, Graduating Senior in Political Science from Indianapolis, Indiana
• Haley Sands, Graduating Senior in Political Science from Blacksburg, Virginia
• Frank Speek, Graduating Senior in Political Science and History from Noblesville,
Indiana
• Allison Tucker, Graduating Senior in Communication and Spanish from Warsaw, Indiana

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
4
AMBASSADOR CAROLYN CURIEL
Many at Purdue know Carolyn Curiel as the founder and executive director
of the PICC. But her students call her Ambassador—just a hint at all she
has achieved.
After graduating from Purdue, Curiel worked as a journalist at United
Press International, The Washington Post, The New York Times, and at
ABC News Nightline, where she was was an Emmy-nominated producer
and writer for Ted Koppel, She answered the call to public service as
President Clinton’s senior speechwriter in 1993, and in his second term, as
Ambassador to Belize. She returned to The Times in 2002, directing the
editorial board’s election endorsements before returning to Purdue, where
she also is a professor of communication.
She created the university’s Washington Program at C-SPAN in 2010 with
Brian Lamb, then the network’s CEO and a fellow Purdue alumnus, as her
chief collaborator. PICC was designed to give Purdue students unique
opportunities to learn from and interact with professionals doing the jobs
the students aspire to in public service, media and related fields. Her idea
for a national poll by undergraduate students, made possible with help
from many partners, was based on the desire to allow students to conduct
serious research in an applied learning environment.
Above excerpt from: www.cla.purdue.edu/alumni/OurAlumni/Profiles/Curiel._Carolyn.html

Co-PRINCIPAL
INVESTIGATOR
5
PROFESSOR GLENN SPARKS,
COMMUNICATION
Glenn Sparks is a Professor in the Brian Lamb School of
Communication at Purdue University. Professor Sparks came to Purdue
in 1986 after five years of doctoral work in the Department of
Communication Arts at the University of Wisconsin-Madison–followed
by a 3-year appointment as an Assistant Professor in what is now the
School of Communication at Cleveland State University.
Sparks’ area of expertise is the cognitive and emotional effects of the
media. A number of his articles report the results of research on the
effects of frightening films and TV programs as well as media violence.
He regularly teaches a course on media effects for undergraduates and
occasionally teaches a graduate seminar on media effects or courses
on research methods. With Curiel, he is co-principal investigator for the
national polling project.
Sparks said it is has been a great honor and privilege to work with the
PICC Polling Unit. “For me, this project represents a unique opportunity
to work with students on an activity that creates new knowledge that
could be a significant catalyst for beneficial change in America.”

OUR GRADUATE
STUDENTS
6
PICC TEACHING ASSISTANTS
FOR THE POLLING UNIT
Katie A. Cahill is a Ph.D. candidate at Purdue University in the
Department of Political Science. Her major field is public policy, with minor
concentrations in comparative politics and public health. Her research
uses an interdisciplinary, multi-level approach in examining public health
policies and outcomes in developing contexts. Katie is highly motivated to
conduct research that has both theoretical and practical implications. For
her dissertation research on child immunization, Katie conducted over 9
months of fieldwork interviewing public health officials and representatives
of international organizations in the countries of India and Bangladesh.
Robert Kulzick is completing his Ph.D. in Political Science at Purdue
University. His dissertation examines the role of state economic
bureaucrats in the process of financial liberalization. Robert received a
Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of
Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. He received Masters’ Degrees in Political
Science and Economics from Purdue.

PICC MANAGER
7
JULIE WISE
Julie Wise is the Manager for the Purdue Institute for Civic
Communication. Purdue has employed her since 2009 in positions that
have shown her the ins and outs of University services both for current
students and alumni.
Through these positions, she was able to learn that she enjoys working
with students and the everyday challenges that are presented in
managing an office.
Prior to coming to Purdue, she spent six years with Solideal Tire, an
industrial tire company, working her way up to North American
Marketing Manager.
Wise is a native of Idaville, Indiana. She received his Bachelor’s degree
in marketing from Johnson & Wales University, Providence, RI. Along
with her husband Matt, daughter Caroline, and dog-daughter Jasmine,
she resides in West Lafayette, IN.

FROM OUR STUDENTS
8
PICC POLLING UNIT
The view from a campus can be limited. We students typically learn in classroom settings,
using texts, studying research and theories developed by others – it is interesting but all too
often remote from the lives we hope to impact as contributing citizens.
With the PICC polls, we reached into thousands of homes, asking Americans to think about
their roles and contributions to our civic society. We sought to capture their feelings and
aspirations in our data. We worried when words, questions, or even results might offend
some respondents. That discomfort also helped us to recognize that the views of America are
as diverse as our citizen population, as are aspirations.. For example, most Americans
believe higher education is necessary for their futures, but most Americans don’t see that
education as attainable.
How lucky we are, then, to have had higher learning both in the classroom and through a
research experience like this poll. Our instructor, Ambassador Carolyn Curiel, as well
Professor Glenn Sparks, graduate assistants Katie Cahill and Robert Kulzick, and Rob Green,
Sam Hagedorn and the team at Penn Schoen Berland pushed us every day, making this
project possible. We thank them all.
~ PICC Undergraduate Polling Unit

ABOUT PICC
9
PURDUE INSTITUE FOR
CIVIC COMMUNICATION
The Purdue Institute for Civic Communication (PICC) is a nonpartisan, university-wide
initiative for applied and experiential learning at Purdue University, founded and directed
by Carolyn Curiel, a former journalist, senior White House speechwriter and diplomat. The
institute is made possible by the Daniels Fund of Denver and a partnership with C-SPAN,
the Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network.
The PICC offers undergraduate students from any discipline the opportunity to become
better citizens and informed contributors to democracy. In classes and activities, students
experience and explore the American system, interacting with leaders in public service,
journalism, industry and advocacy, at Purdue and in Washington, DC.
PICC Students with U.S. Speaker of the House, John Boehner
PICC students enjoy scholastic benefits including
innovative classes, internships and competitive merit
scholarships. Emphasis is placed on honing the
critical thinking skills of students from across
disciplines and helping them to translate complex
knowledge into communication that is accessible to
the larger public.

PICC ADVISORY TEAM
10
PURDUE INSTITUE FOR
CIVIC COMMUNICATION
• Kirk Cerny, former President and CEO, Purdue Alumni Association
• Howard Cohen, Professor of Philosophy, Purdue Calumet
• Paula Dwyer, Editor, Bloomberg View, New York
• Caitlin Harris, Northern Lights Locating and Inspection Services, Indiana
• David Kusnet, Principal, Podesta Group, Washington DC
• Brian Lamb, Founder and Executive Chairman, C-SPAN
• Joey Marburger, Director of Digital Products and Design, The Washington Post
• Kara McIver, former Senior Account Executive, Edelman Public Relations, DC
• Matt Miller, Vice President, Business Roundtable, DC
• Dale Pupillo, former Deputy Director, US Secret Service
• Gene Spafford, Professor of Computer Science, Executive Director of CERIAS
• Glenn Sparks, Professor, Brian Lamb School of Communication
• Hugh Totten, Attorney, LaPorte, Indiana

KEY PARTNER
11
PAULA DWYER,
BLOOMBERG NEWS
A Purdue alumna, Paula Dwyer is a member of the Bloomberg View
editorial board, focusing on economics, finance, regulation and politics.
For more than three decades, she has written and edited news stories --
and now editorials -- on the personalities, politics and policies driving
decision makers in the U.S. and overseas. She was named a Pulitzer
Prize finalist for editorial writing in 2012.
Ms. Dwyer spent 2004 to 2009 at The New York Times, where she was
deputy business editor in New York and then economics editor in the
Washington bureau. While at the Times, she was responsible for the
Washington bureau's coverage of the financial crisis, Wall Street reforms
and health-care overhaul.
She joined Bloomberg News's Washington bureau in late 2009 to edit
enterprise articles. Soon after Bloomberg acquired BusinessWeek, she
became an assistant managing editor of the magazine. She joined
Bloomberg View in April 2011 as part of its startup team.
Paula Dwyer, a member of the PICC Advisory Team, has been an
important mentor for the PICC Polling Unit, and is moderator for the
students’ forum at the National Archives in Washington on May 13, 2015.

KEY PARTNER
12
PENN SCHOEN
BERLAND
Penn Schoen Berland (PSB) is a market research, political polling and
strategic consulting firm based in the United States.
The firm is named for founding partners Mark Penn, Douglas Schoen
and Michael Berland. PSB was founded in 1975.
The company is known for its political polling on behalf of Bill Clinton
and, since the 1970s, PSB has worked on behalf of numerous political
campaigns in the U.S. and internationally, contributing to the election of
more than 25 political leaders worldwide. Its founders are also credited
with the introduction of overnight polling.
In particular, the PICC Polling Unit is grateful for the guidance and
mentorship of Robert Green, PSB Senior Vice President and PSB
project manager Samuel Hagedorn.

PICC National Poll
PILOT POLL
OCTOBER 2014
Penn Schoen Berland
AN EDUCATION
IN AND ABOUT
THE REAL WORLD

PILOT POLL
2014
14
RESULTS
OCTOBER 2014
The first poll, taken in October 2014, was comprised of 10 questions adapted from the
United States Naturalization Test, the test administered to immigrants seeking American
citizenship.
Penn Schoen Berland (PSB) conducted online interviews on October 1-3, 2014 among
n=1,110 American adults nationally. The margin of error for this study is +/- 2.94% at the
95% confidence level and larger for subgroups. Data are weighted based on Census
Bureau American Community Survey estimates for gender, age, region, and race, as well
as publically available 2014 survey data on party affiliation. Some percentages may add to
more or less than 100% due to rounding.

PILOT POLL
2014
15
11%
89%
What is the “rule of
law”?
• Nearly 9 in 10 Americans reported
that they know that the “rule of law”
means that everyone must follow the
law.
• When they answer incorrectly,
Hispanic Americans were twice as
likely as White Americans to select
the incorrect answer, “that all laws
must be the same in every state.”
Incorrect
Everyone must follow the law [correct answer]
Margin of error +/- 2.94%

PILOT POLL
2014
16
17%
83%
What is the supreme law of
the land?
• 8 in 10 Americans reported that they
know that the supreme law of the
land refers to the Constitution.
• Hispanic Americans were less likely
to respond correctly, with nearly 1 in
4 incorrectly answering “the
Declaration of Independence.”
• Americans age 50 and older were
more likely to respond correctly, with
9 in 10 answering correctly.
Incorrect
The Constitution [correct answer]

PILOT POLL
2014
17
22%
78%
What is one right or
freedom from the First
Amendment?
• Nearly 8 in 10 Americans knew that
freedom of speech is included in the
First Amendment.
than white and black Americans to
answer correctly.
• White and Hispanic Americans were
nearly twice as likely as black
Americans to select the incorrect
answer “to bear arms.”
Incorrect
Speech [correct answer]

PILOT POLL
2014
18
26%
74%
Who makes federal laws?
• 7 in 10 Americans know that
Congress makes federal law.
• Males were more likely than
females to answer the question
correctly.
than white or black Americans to
answer correctly, with 1 in 4
incorrectly selecting “the Supreme
Court.”
• College graduates were much more
likely to answer correctly (8 in 10)
than those with only a high school
diploma or less (6 in 10).
Incorrect
Congress [correct answer]

PILOT POLL
2014
19
30%
70%
What does the President’s
Cabinet do?
• 7 in 10 Americans knew that the
Cabinet advises the President.
• Males were more likely than females
to answer this question correctly.
more likely to respond correctly (8 in
10) than Americans under age 35.
likely to answer this question
correctly than individuals with no or
some college education.
Incorrect
Advises the President [correct answer]

PILOT POLL
2014
20
35%
65%
What is the economic system
in the United States?
United States has a capitalist
economy.
• Republicans were more likely to
answer correctly (7 in 10) than
Democrats or Independents.
correctly (8 in 10) than those with
only a high school diploma or less (5
in 10).
Incorrect
Capitalist economy [correct answer]

PILOT POLL
2014
21
36%
64%
What stops one branch of
government from
becoming too powerful?
• 6 in 10 Americans knew that checks
and balances among branches is the
mechanism that keeps one branch
from becoming too powerful.
• When they answered incorrectly, 1 in
4 Americans selected “the people” as
the primary check on government
power.
answer this question correctly than
Independents and Democrats.
Incorrect
Checks and balances [correct answer]

PILOT POLL
2014
22
43%
57%
If both the President and the Vice
President can no longer serve, who
becomes President?
• Just over half of Americans knew that
the Speaker of the House is the third
in line to follow the President.
• 1 in 3 Americans incorrectly answered
“the Secretary of State” to this
question.
• Black and Hispanic Americans were
slightly less likely than white
Americans to answer this question
correctly.
• Older Americans (50+) were more
likely to respond correctly (7 in 10)
than Americans under age 34 (4 in
10).
Incorrect
The Speaker of the House [correct answer]

PILOT POLL
2014
23
45%
55%
What does the Constitution
do?
• Just over half of Americans knew that
the Constitution defines and sets up
the government and details the basic
rights of Americans.
• Black Americans were more likely to
answer incorrectly and to select only
“protects basic rights” than to
correctly answer this question.
• Republicans were slightly less likely
to answer correctly than Democrats
and Independents.
Incorrect
All the above: defines government, protects
basic rights of Americans, sets up the
government [correct answer]

PILOT POLL
2014
24
54%
46%
What does the
Judicial branch do?
• Over half of Americans incorrectly
answered this question, making the
judicial branch the least understood
of the branches of government.
• Those who answered incorrectly
believed that the Judicial branch
executes and/or creates laws.
• Older Americans (50+) were more
likely to respond correctly (5 in 10)
than Americans age 34 and under
(4 in 10).
correctly (6 in 10) than those with
only a high school diploma or less
(4 in 10).
Incorrect
Requires laws and determines constitutionality
[correct answer]

PICC National Poll
CIVIC KNOWLEDGE
JANUARY 2015
Penn Schoen Berland
AN EDUCATION
IN AND ABOUT
THE REAL WORLD

CIVIC KNOWLEDGE
2015
26
RESULTS
January 2015
This second poll, taken in January 2015, was composed of 20 questions addressing topics
the students viewed as important to understanding civic society.
Penn Schoen Berland (PSB) conducted online interviews on January 6-8, 2015 among

CIVIC KNOWLEDGE
2015
27
5%
95%
“Obamacare” refers to what?
• Nearly all Americans knew that
“Obamacare” refers to the Patient
Protection and Affordable Care Act.
• Black Americans were slightly less
likely than white Americans to answer
this question correctly.
• Those making less than $35,000
were slightly less likely to answer
correctly than those making $75,000
or more.
Incorrect
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
[correct answer]

CIVIC KNOWLEDGE
2015
28
7%
93%
What is the purpose of the
Social Security program?
• Nearly all Americans knew that Social
Security assures income for the aged,
blind and disabled.
• Hispanic Americans were slightly less
likely to answer correctly, with 1 in 10
selecting the incorrect response, “To
create community centers where
senior citizens can socialize.”
• Older Americans (50+) were slightly
more likely to answer this question
correctly than Americans age 34 and
under.
Incorrect
To assure a minimum level of income for the
aged, blind, or disabled and those with limited
financial resources [correct answer]

CIVIC KNOWLEDGE
2015
29
9%
91%
What is the best
definition of a tax?
• 9 in 10 Americans knew that a tax is a
required payment that goes toward
government revenue.
likely than white or Hispanic
Americans to answer correctly.
• Americans living in urban areas were
slightly less likely to answer this
question correctly than those living in
suburban or rural areas
Incorrect
A required payment that contributes to
government revenue [correct answer]

CIVIC KNOWLEDGE
2015
30
9%
91%
Citizens of New Mexico are
citizens of which nation?
• Nearly 1 in 10 Americans answered
this question incorrectly.
• Nearly 1 in 4 individuals with a high
school diploma or less answered
incorrectly, “Mexico.”
• There was very little variation across
regions, including the South and
West, in the percentage of correct
responses.
Incorrect
United States [correct answer]

CIVIC KNOWLEDGE
2015
31
10%
90%
What was the direct
result of Brown v. Board
of Education?
We asked Americans about the result of
the 1954 court case Brown v. Board of
Education.
• 9 in 10 Americans knew that this
case resulted in the desegregation of
public schools.
• Americans in the South were slightly
less likely to answer this question
correctly.
• Americans under age 50 were less
correctly than those Americans who
are over age 50. Incorrect
Desegregation of public schools [correct
answer]

CIVIC KNOWLEDGE
2015
32
16%
84%
What are the three branches
of government?
• 8 in 10 Americans were able to
correctly identify the three branches
of government.
likely than white and Hispanic
Americans to answer correctly.
• College graduates were more likely
to answer this question correctly (9 in
10) than those with a high school
diploma or less (7 in 10).
Incorrect
Executive, Legislative, Judicial [correct answer]

CIVIC KNOWLEDGE
2015
33
17%
83%
Which population of Americans
does Medicare benefit?
know that Medicare benefits are for
individuals age 65 and older.
• White Americans were over 10
percent more likely than Black and
Hispanic Americans to know which
population Medicare benefits.
Incorrect
Individuals 65 and older [correct answer]

CIVIC KNOWLEDGE
2015
34
20%
80%
How large is the national debt?
about 10 percent less likely than
white Americans to know how large
the national debt is.
• Females were more than 15 percent
less likely than males to answer this
question correctly.
• Americans between the ages of 18
and 34 were more than 10 percent
less likely to correctly identify the size
of the national debt.
Incorrect
$18 trillion [correct answer]

CIVIC KNOWLEDGE
2015
35
25%
75%
Which of the following is a
Constitutional requirement for a person
to be eligible to become the President?
Constitution requires a person to be
35 years old to be eligible to become
President.
• College graduates were most likely to
answer this question correctly.
• Americans with annual incomes of
$75,000 or more answered this
question correctly more often than
other income groups.
Incorrect
Must be at least 35 years old [correct answer]

CIVIC KNOWLEDGE
2015
36
29%
71%
Who has the power to
impeach the President?
Congress has the power to impeach
the President.
to answer this question correctly than
white or black Americans.
• 9 in 10 college graduates answered
answer this question correctly than
Democrats or Independents.
Incorrect

CIVIC KNOWLEDGE
2015
37
31%
69%
What is the Federal Reserve?
• Nearly 7 in 10 Americans knew that
the Federal Reserve is the central
banking system of the United States.
• Females were slightly less likely than
males to answer correctly.
• Americans under the age of 35 were
more than 10 percent less likely to
answer correctly than Americans
older than 35.
• Almost 8 in 10 college graduates
answered this question correctly.
Incorrect
The central banking system of the United States
[correct answer]

CIVIC KNOWLEDGE
2015
38
32%
68%
What is the Bill of Rights?
• 7 in 10 Americans knew that the first
10 amendments to the Constitution
make up the Bill of Rights.
Incorrect
The first 10-amendments to the Constitution
[correct answer]

CIVIC KNOWLEDGE
2015
39
35%
65%
What was the result of
the Manhattan Project?
• Black Americans were least likely to
answer this question correctly, with 1
in 3 selecting the incorrect answer,
“the creation of New York City.”
• Republicans and Independents were
more likely than Democrats to answer
• Just over one half of females
answered correctly, compared to
nearly 8 in 10 males.
Incorrect
Creation of the first atomic bomb [correct
answer]

CIVIC KNOWLEDGE
2015
40
41%
59%
Which President signed
the Civil Rights Act?
• 6 in 10 Americans knew that
President Lyndon Johnson signed
the Civil Rights Act.
• Just over 4 in 10 Americans aged 18
to 34 answered this question
correctly, with nearly 7 in 10 over age
50 answering correctly.
• Just over 4 in 10 Americans with a
high school education or less
answered correctly, while nearly 7 in
10 Americans with a college degree
answer correctly.
Incorrect
Lyndon B. Johnson [correct answer]

CIVIC KNOWLEDGE
2015
41
44%
56%
How is an amendment to
the Constitution
proposed?
• Just over half of Americans knew
how an amendment is proposed.
• 4 in 10 Americans with a high school
education or less answered correctly
while nearly 7 in 10 college
graduates answered correctly.
• Fewer than half of Americans who
live in urban areas answered
correctly, while those who live in
suburban and rural areas are more
than 5 percent more likely to answer
correctly.
Incorrect
If two-thirds of both houses deem it necessary
or if two-thirds of states call for a convention
[correct answer]

CIVIC KNOWLEDGE
2015
42
55%
46%
Which part of the
government has the power to
declare war?
• Fewer than half of Americans knew
that only the Congress has the power
to declare war.
• Males were nearly twice as likely as
females to answer correctly.
• College graduates were more than
twice as likely as those with a high
school degree or less to answer
correctly.
Incorrect

CIVIC KNOWLEDGE
2015
43
59%
41%
When questioned by law
enforcement, which of the
following is not a citizen’s right?
• Just 4 in 10 Americans knew that
citizens do not have the right to
refuse to allow search of their vehicle
under any circumstances.
• Only one-third of Americans who live
in urban areas answered this
question correctly, while more then
40 percent of those who live in
suburban and rural areas answered
correctly.
Incorrect
Refusing to allow search of the citizen’s vehicle
under any circumstances [correct answer]

CIVIC KNOWLEDGE
2015
44
63%
37%
When the U.S. sign the Kyoto
Protocol on greenhouse gas
emissions?
United States has not signed the
Kyoto Protocol.
• Americans over age 50 were more
than twice as likely to answer
correctly as those age 18 to 34.
• Those who answered incorrectly
were twice as likely to think that the
Kyoto Protocol was signed during a
Democratic Administration versus a
Republican Administration.
Incorrect
Never [correct answer]

CIVIC KNOWLEDGE
2015
45
68%
32%
What is executive privilege?
• Just one-third of Americans knew that
executive privilege is the right of the
Executive branch to withhold
information from the public and
Congress.
• One-quarter of Americans with an
annual income under $35,000
answered correctly while nearly 4 in
10 with an annual income of $75,000
or more answered correctly.
• Less than 3 in 10 Republicans and
Democrats answered correctly while
nearly 4 in 10 Independents answered
correctly. Incorrect
The right of the Executive branch to withhold
information from the public and Congress
[correct answer]

CIVIC KNOWLEDGGE
2015
46
69%
31%
What is the core
principle of net
neutrality?
• Fewer than one-third of Americans
understood net neutrality.
• Fewer than a quarter of females
answered this question correctly, as
compared to correct responses from 4
in 10 males.
• A quarter of Americans with a high
school degree or less knew the core
principle of net neutrality while nearly 4
in 10 Americans with a college degree
knew the core principle.
Incorrect
Internet content will be delivered to end users at
the same speed [correct answer]

PICC National Poll
CIVIC PARTICIPATION
APRIL 2015
Penn Schoen Berland
AN EDUCATION
IN AND ABOUT
THE REAL WORLD

CIVIC PARTICIPATION
2015
48
RESULTS
March 2015
In the third poll on civic participation, taken in March 2015, the students asked 20
questions that aimed to measure how frequently Americans participate in their community
and democracy.
Penn Schoen Berland (PSB) conducted online interviews on March 3-6, 2015 among

CIVIC PARTICIPATION
2015
49
33%
24%
22%
14%
7%
How do you tend to interact
with individuals who live and
work in your community?
• One-third of all Americans reported
that they rarely or never participate in
their community.
• Hispanic Americans are the least likely
to rarely interact with their community
• The older the respondent, the less
likely they were to interact with their
community.
I rarely interact with my community
Via social media, email, or other online media
Planned face-to-face meetings
By phone-call or text message
Community watch/community organizations

CIVIC PARTICIPATION
2015
50
49%
27%
8%
6%
6%
5%
In what circumstance do you
most often interact with your
neighbors?
• Half of all Americans answered “to
socialize.”
• Those with annual incomes of less
than $35,000 were the least likely to
interact with neighbors.
• Republicans were the demographic
group the most likely to interact with
their neighbors primarily to socialize.
To socialize
I rarely or do not interact with my neighbors
To support a community activity
To settle an issue that directly affects me, my family or property
To share resources
To settle an issue that directly affects the neighborhood

CIVIC PARTICIPATION
2015
51
53%
33%
28%
14%
8%
8%
3%
25%
What are ways that you have
contributed to the public
good? [multiple responses
allowed]
• More than half of Americans have
donated money or resources other
than time, while one-third of Americans
have volunteered for a nonprofit
organization.
• Republicans were more likely than
Democrats and Independents to serve
in the military.
• The higher the level of education
attained, the more likely Americans
were to contribute to the public good.
Donating money or resources other than time
As a volunteer for a non-profit organization
Other voluntary service
Serving in the military
Government employee (non-elected, non-military)
Non-profit employee
Elected official
None of the above

CIVIC PARTICIPATION
2015
52
45%
23%
12%
12%
9%
In which type of local
programs or initiatives do
you most often participate?
• Almost half of Americans reported
rarely or never participating in local
programs or initiatives.
• White Americans were most likely to
participate in environmental
conservation initiatives, while black
Americans were most likely to
participate in homelessness relief
and education mentoring programs.
• Americans age 18 to 34 were more
likely to participate in local programs
or initiatives than older Americans.
I rarely or do not participate in local programs or initiatives
Environmental conservation and protection
Education and/or mentoring programs
Poverty, unemployment, and homelessness relief
Community safety and security

CIVIC PARTICIPATION
2015
53
28%
25%
20%
14%
9%
2%
2%
How many hours do you volunteer
or conduct voluntary community
service in a given month?
• Nearly one-third of Americans
reported that they do not volunteer or
conduct voluntary community
service.
• 1 in 4 of Americans reported that they
volunteer less than five hours per
month.
• Americans who live in urban areas
were most likely to volunteer 11 to 20
hours per month.
• Americans living in the Midwest were
most likely to volunteer. I do not volunteer or give money
Less than 5 hours
I do not volunteer, but I give money
5 to 10 hours
11 to 20 hours
21 to 30 hours
More than 30 hours

CIVIC PARTICIPATION
2015
54
51%
12%
11%
10%
8%
4%
2% 2%
I believe the best way to
affect change is to:
• Over half of Americans believe the
best way to affect change is to vote.
• Black and Hispanic Americans are
significantly more likely to believe
that participating in a social
movement or protest is the best way
to affect change.
• Americans age 18 to 34 were least
likely to believe that voting is the best
way to affect change.
• Only 4 percent of Americans believe
that the best way to affect change is
to donate money to a cause or
campaign. Vote
I do not believe I can affect change
Volunteer
Participate in social movements or protests
Share opinions publically
Donate money to campaigns or causes
Run for office
Other

CIVIC PARTICIPATION
2015
55
48%
29%
8%
8%
4%
3%
From what source or medium do
you get most of your news?
• Almost half of Americans get their
news from television.
• Those who earn more than $75,000
a year were more likely to get their
news from online sources.
• More than half of Americans without
a college degree get most of their
news from television.
Television
Online news
Printed newspaper and/or magazines
Social media
Radio
Word-of-mouth

CIVIC PARTICIPATION
2015
56
52%
22%
11%
8%
5%
3%
What is most important to
you when choosing a news
source?
• Americans responded that accuracy
and lack of bias from news sources
were the most important factors in
choosing a news source.
• White Americans were more likely to
select accuracy as most important
than Black and Hispanic Americans.
• Males were more likely than females
to prioritize lack of bias in their news
sources.
Accurate
Unbiased
Serious
Timely
Aligned with my political views
Funny or satirical

CIVIC PARTICIPATION
2015
57
43%
27%
25%
3%
2%
On a daily basis, how often do you
seek new information on current
events?
they seek new information on current
once a day or more than once a day.
• Americans earning more than
$75,000 annually were more likely to
seek new information about current
events than Americans making less
than $35,000 per year.
• Almost one-third of Americans who
make less than $35,000 per year
seek news less often than once a
day.
At least once a day
2 to 5 times a day
Less than once a day
6 to 10 times a day
More than 10 times a day

CIVIC PARTICIPATION
2015
58
36%
28%
23%
10%
3%
I am most likely to share my
views on civic matters by:
• Half of Americans reported that they
share their views in private settings
or by posting on social media.
• Americans age 18 to 34 were more
likely to share views via social media.
• Black Americans were less likely to
share their views about civic matter
in private settings.
• Hispanic Americans were more likely
to share their views on social media.
I only share my views in private settings
I do not tend to share my views
Posting as part of a discussion on social media
Writing a letter to the editor or commenting on news content
Calling in to broadcast programs (television/radio)

CIVIC PARTICIPATION
2015
59
32%
16%
21%
25%
7%
0
How often do you engage in
online community discussions
about the news?
• Almost one-third of Americans have
never visited online community
discussions.
more likely to engage in online
community discussions about the
news than white Americans.
• Fewer than 1 in 10 Americans are
active in online discussions about the
news.
I have never visited online community discussions
I do not contribute to online community discussions
I rarely engage in discussions
I sometimes engage in discussions
I am always responding to posts and looking
for a way to start or join discussions

CIVIC PARTICIPATION
2015
60
44%
42%
22%
16%
13%
13%
In which way(s) do you
demonstrate support for a political
candidate or party? [multiple
responses]
• Just under half of Americans reported
they do not discuss political
candidates or parties with family and
friends, post in support of politicians
online, volunteer their time to political
campaigns, give money to politicians,
wear buttons or clothing advertising
political candidates or parties, or
display bumper stickers or yard signs
supporting candidates or parties.
• Almost one-third of Americans show
support by volunteering and giving
financial donations to a political
candidate or party.
• Independents were nearly twenty
percent less likely to support
candidates or political parties in
some manner than other Americans.
I do not openly demonstrate support
Talking with family, friends, and neighbors
Online support and/or posting
Buttons/clothing/bumper stickers/yard signs
Volunteering time
Financial donations

CIVIC PARTICIPATION
2015
61
37%
22%
20%
10%
8%
3%
What is your main motivation
to vote in a U.S. presidential
election?
they vote because they are
concerned about the country’s
direction.
• Almost no Americans reported that
they felt pressure from their
workplaces or from family and friends
to vote in a U.S. presidential election.
Concern about the country’s direction
Sense of civic duty
Vote makes a difference
Care about an issue
I do not vote
Misc. (simple to do/pressure from family and
friends/pressure from workplace)

CIVIC PARTICIPATION
2015
62
30%
28%
14%
13%
7%
3%
3%
2%
Which of the following would
most likely prevent you from
voting?
• Almost one-third of Americans cited
faulty voting machines as a likely
obstacle to their voting, while almost
as many cited the feeling that their
vote doesn’t make a difference.
• Americans 50 and older were more
likely to answer faulty voting
machines, while Americans 18 to 34
years of age were more likely to feel
that their vote does not make a
difference.
Faulty voting machines
Feeling that my vote does not make a difference
Limited voting hours/days
Long lines
Absence of online voting or mail-in voting
Absence of same-day voter registration
Lack of reminders via phone, mail, or online
Requirement for voter identification

CIVIC PARTICIPATION
2015
63
43%
26%
10%
9%
7%
4%
1%
I am most likely to vote for a
candidate because of that
candidate’s:
• A candidate’s overall message was
most important to 43 percent of
Americans.
• Americans who self-identify as
moderates value reliability almost
twice as much as Americans who
identify as liberals or conservative.
equally likely to select overall
message or reliability, while white
Americans were twice as likely to
select overall message as reliability.
Overall message
Reliability (i.e. s/he understands me and my needs)
Credentials (i.e. education, experience)
Party affiliation
Stance on a single policy issue
Image and personality
Endorsement by others

CIVIC PARTICIPATION
2015
64
57%20%
6%
6%
5%
4%
3%
Have you ever contacted your
local, state, or national
representatives’ office?
• More than half of Americans reported
they do not contact their
representatives’ office.
• Americans age 50 and older are
nearly twice as likely to contact their
representatives’ office via email than
Americans ages 18 to 34.
• Only 3 in 10 Americans with a high
school diploma or less reported
contacting their representatives’
office.
No, I have never contacted my representatives’ office
Yes, through email
Yes, through telephone
Yes, through posted mail
Yes, using multiple types of communication
Yes, in person
Yes, through social media

CIVIC PARTICIPATION
2015
65
28%
21%
19%
9%
9%
1%
13%
By which method to you most
prefer to hear from your
government representatives?
twice as likely to prefer to hear from
their representatives through email in
comparison to the other age groups.
• Only 1 percent of Americans prefer to
hear from their representatives via
telephone.
• Nearly 1 in 3 Americans have no
preference in how they hear from
their representatives.
I have no preference
Through email
Through posted mail
Through social media
In person
Through telephone
I do not wish to hear from my elected
representatives

CIVIC PARTICIPATION
2015
66
39%
38%
27%
38%
How do you react when a
company’s political views or values
do not align with yours? [multiple]
• Americans are as likely to say they
won’t buy from a company as they
are to not care about a company’s
political views or values.
• Half of Americans with a high school
degree or less do not care about a
company’s political views or values.
• Over half of those who self-identify
as liberals will not invest in or buy
from company’s whose political views
or values do not align with their own.
I would not invest in it
I would not buy from it
I would not work for it
I do not care about a company’s political views or values

CIVIC PARTICIPATION
2015
67
82%
52%
50%
20%
16%
7%
Which of the following do you
choose to do to care for the
environment? [multiple]
• 8 in 10 Americans recycle and/or
reuse materials to care for
environment.
• Those who self-identify as
conservatives are 30 percent less
likely to alter their mode of
transportation to benefit the
environment than those who identify
as moderates or liberals.
• Conservatives are also less likely than
others to engage in other
environmental activities.
• Americans in the Western United
States are the most likely to report that
they practice environmentally
beneficial behaviors.
Recycling and/or reusing materials
Conserving resources
Shopping responsibly
Using public transportation, carpooling, biking, and/or walking
Using alternative sources of energy
I do not do anything to care for the environment

PICC National Poll
CIVIC CONFIDENCE
APRIL 2015
Penn Schoen Berland
AN EDUCATION
IN AND ABOUT
THE REAL WORLD

CIVIC CONFIDENCE
2015
69
RESULTS
April 2015
In the fourth and final poll, on civic confidence, taken in April 2015, 22 questions aimed to
measure how Americans perceived their opportunities and their degree of confidence in
government.
Penn Schoen Berland (PSB) conducted online interviews on April 7-9, 2015 among

CIVIC CONFIDENCE
2015
70
30%
29%
15%
11%
5%
4%
5%
What unites Americans
the most?
• 6 in 10 Americans reported that they
think that fundamental rights and
freedoms or patriotism most unite the
country.
• Black Americans were less likely to
select patriotism than white or
Hispanic Americans.
select patriotism, while Democrats
and Independents were more likely to
select fundamental rights and
freedoms.
Fundamental rights and freedoms
Patriotism
Sports
Democratic values and principles
Shared vision for the future
Belief in the free market
Other Margin of error +/- 2.83%

CIVIC CONFIDENCE
2015
71
31%
28%
22%
7%
4%
7%
0
What divides Americans
the most?
• 6 in 10 Americans reported they think
that wealth or race/ethnicity most
divides the country.
• Black Americans were most likely to
report that race/ethnicity divides the
country (more than 40 percent)
• Hispanic Americans were most likely
to respond that wealth divides
Americans the most (slightly less
than 40 percent).
• Democrats were twice as likely as
Republicans to select wealth, with
Republicans evenly splitting between
race/ethnicity and political ideology
as the categories selected most
often.
Wealth
Race/Ethnicity
Political ideology
Religion
Education
Misc. (geography/gender/generational gaps/other)

CIVIC CONFIDENCE
2015
72
37%
30%
23%
11%
In making decisions for the
good of the country, I trust:
they do not trust any branch of
government.
• Black Americans were half as likely
as white and Hispanic Americans to
choose the Supreme Court as their
trusted branch.
• Democrats were 7 times more likely
than Republicans to trust the Office
of the President.
• Independents were the least trusting
of all branches.
None
The Supreme Court
The Office of the President
Congress

CIVIC CONFIDENCE
2015
73
50%
20%
7%
7%
6%
6%
4%
The U.S. government is
most prepared to protect
Americans from:
• Half of Americans reported they do
not think the U.S. government is
prepared to protect them from
unforeseen crises.
• Black Americans were more
confident than white or Hispanic
Americans in the government’s
preparedness.
• Democrats were twice as likely as
Republicans to believe that the
government could protect Americans
from a physical terrorist attack.
None of the below
Physical terrorist attacks
Natural disasters
Epidemics
Power-grid outages
Economic meltdowns
Cyber-attacks Margin of error +/- 2.83%

CIVIC CONFIDENCE
2015
74
62%10%
7%
2%
2%
17%
I believe the U.S.
government cares most
about protecting:
• Two-thirds of Americans reported that
they think that the government cares
most about protecting big
businesses.
3 times more likely than white
Americans to view individuals and
families as the top government
priority.
twice as likely as Democrats to report
that the government does not care
about protecting any group.
Big business
Labor unions
Individuals and families
Religious groups
Small business
None of the above

CIVIC CONFIDENCE
2015
75
27%
26%
20%
12%
8%
3%
4%
0
What I fear most about
the future of America
is:
• Nearly 1 in 3 Americans said they
fear economic failure or loss of
freedom.
• Black and white Americans said they
fear the loss of freedom and
economic failure equally, with
Hispanic Americans most concerned
with economic failure.
twice as likely as Democrats to have
concerns about a loss of freedom;
Democrats were most concerned
about economic failure.
Economic failure
Loss of freedom
Social decay
Loss of safety
Environmental degradation
Other
Nothing Margin of error +/- 2.83%

CIVIC CONFIDENCE
2015
76
58%
18%
11%
8%
2% 2%
In the future, most new
American jobs will come from
advancements in:
• Nearly 1 in 3 Americans reported that
they think new jobs will come from
advancements in technology.
• In the second most chosen answer,
white and Hispanic Americans
selected health care, while black
Americans choose manufacturing.
• Americans who self-identified as
Democrats, Republicans, and
Independents all answered this
question similarly.
Technology
Healthcare
Energy
Manufacturing
Agriculture
Other

CIVIC CONFIDENCE
2015
77
33%
46%
21%
I believe the next great
scientific advancement will
come from the United States.
• Over 2 in 3 Americans were neutral,
or disagreed with this statement.
more hopeful than White Americans.
• Democrats and Republicans were
more hopeful than Independents.
• Americans with low socio-economic
status were less likely to agree than
those with higher educational and/or
income.
Strongly Agree or Agree
Neutral
Disagree or Strongly Disagree

CIVIC CONFIDENCE
2015
78
33%
19%
16%
15%
10%
5%
2%
In the future, American
jobs will be most
threatened by:
• More than 1 in 3 Americans reported
they think outsourcing overseas will
threaten jobs.
• White Americans were nearly twice
as likely to be concerned about
immigration as Black and Hispanic
Americans.
• Republicans were twice as likely as
Democrats to be concerned with
immigration.
Outsourcing overseas
Immigration
Under-educated workforce
Technological advancement
Overregulation
American jobs will not be threatened
Other Margin of error +/- 2.83%

CIVIC CONFIDENCE
2015
79
22%
20%
17%
16%
14%
8%
1% 0
The federal budget
should include more
spending on:
• Over 4 in 10 Americans reported they
think that spending should be
increased for education or for social
safety-net programs.
• Black Americans were the least
supportive of any spending
increases.
• Republicans were nearly 3 times
more likely than Democrats and
Independents to think that spending
should increase for defense.
• One-third of those ages 18 to 34
think that spending should be
increased for education. Education
Social safety-net programs
No spending increases
Infrastructure development
Defense
Environmental protection
Foreign aid Margin of error +/- 2.83%

CIVIC CONFIDENCE
2015
80
55%
18%
14%
8%
5%
0 0
Could your household live on a
total budget of less than
$15,000 a year?(In his 2015 State of the Union Address,
President Obama challenged Members of
Congress opposed to raising the minimum
wage to try living on less than $15,000 a
year.)
• Over half of Americans said their
household could not live on less than
$15,000 a year.
• White Americans were more likely than
any other race/ethnicity to answer “No,
absolutely not.”
• Republicans were more likely than
Democrats and Independents to answer
“No, absolutely not.”
• Those making less than $35,000 were half
as likely as those making $35,000 or more
to answer “No, absolutely not.”
No, absolutely not
Yes, but barely
No, but almost
Yes, but I would have to move
Yes, comfortably

CIVIC CONFIDENCE
2015
81
51%
31%
18%
I believe the American system allows
me the opportunity to be successful
and reach my full potential.
• Over half of Americans reported they
believe the system allows success.
• Hispanic Americans had the highest
belief in the system of opportunity,
though black and white Americans
were equally close in second place.
• Independents were the least likely to
express a belief in opportunity.
• Those making $75,000 or more a
year were nearly twice as likely to
agree with the statement than those
making less than $35,000.
Neutral

CIVIC CONFIDENCE
2015
82
39%
32%
14%
10%
5%
Where do you believe children in
your area receive the best
education (K-12)?
• Almost two-thirds of Americans said
they believe students K-12 receive the
best education in private schools.
• Citizens in the Midwest were more
likely to believe that public schooling is
the best education in comparison to
other regions.
• White Americans were 10 percent
more likely to believe private education
is better than public education, while
other races answered that they were
about equal.
• Those making $35,000 or less a year
were more likely to believe that
homeschooling is the best choice for
education.
Private schools
Public schools
Homeschooling
Charter schools
Vocational schools

CIVIC CONFIDENCE
2015
83
71%
20%
9%
Higher education is necessary for
most Americans.
• Almost 3 out of 4 Americans believe
that higher education is necessary
much more likely than white
Americans to say they strongly agree
with the statement.
• Democrats were more likely to agree
that education is necessary in
comparison to Republicans and
Independents.
Neutral

CIVIC CONFIDENCE
2015
84
48%
24%
28%
Higher education is attainable for
most Americans.
• About half of Americans believe higher
education is attainable, with nearly a
third of Americans disagreeing.
• Self-identified conservatives were
more likely to agree than liberals and
moderates.
• Republicans were more likely to agree
than Democrats and independents.
• Black Americans were twice as likely
as white and Hispanic Americans to
strongly disagree that higher
education is attainable for most
Americans. Strongly Agree or Agree
Neutral

CIVIC CONFIDENCE
2015
85
40%
24%
11%
11%
8%
6%
If you were able to give an 18-year old
$50,000, how would you recommend
that they best use the money?
• More Americans chose using the
windfall to pay for further education
than anything else, with a quarter of
Americans recommending saving the
money.
• White Americans were much more
likely to suggest paying for further
education.
• Americans earning between $35,000
and $75,000 annually recommended
saving the money much more often
than those with either higher or lower
incomes.
• Americans age 18 to 34 were much
less likely than older Americans to
suggest financing further education
with the windfall..
Pay for further education
Put it into savings
Invest in the stock market or real estate
Pay bills and/or debts
Start a business
Misc. (charity/shopping/buy lottery tickets/other)

CIVIC CONFIDENCE
2015
86
55%
29%
16%
When I see a police officer,
I feel safe.
• Over half of Americans agreed with
the statement, saying they felt safe in
the presence of a police officer.
• White and Hispanic Americans were
3 times as likely as black Americans
to strongly agree that they feel safe
when they see a police officer.
• Americans earning more than
$35,000 annually were more likely to
feel safe than those earning less than
$35,000.
Neutral

CIVIC CONFIDENCE
2015
87
56%
24%
9%
9%
9%
8%
7%
In the name of public safety, I
believe it is acceptable for the
government without a warrant to:
• Over half of Americans said they
believe that none of the suggested
actions are acceptable.
• Americans aged 18 to 34 are much
less likely to accept full body scans or
pat-downs.
• White Americans were half as likely as
black and Hispanic Americans to
accept analysis of phone calls, text
messages, and emails.
• Citizens in the Northeastern United
States were more than twice as likely
to accept all of the suggested actions.
None of the below
Conduct full-body scans/pat downs at public spaces
Analyze my phone calls/text messages/emails
Conduct video surveillance of private spaces
Any action deemed necessary
Use my personal technology to track my movements
Analyze my private records Margin of error +/- 2.83%

CIVIC CONFIDENCE
2015
88
53%
30%
18%
If I had a major illness, I am confident
that I would receive the highest
quality of care in the United States.
 Over half of Americans said they feel
they would receive the highest quality
of care.
 Men were more likely than women to
agree that they would receive the
highest quality of care.
 Americans age 18 to 34 were much
less likely to agree than the rest of
Americans that they would receive
the best quality of care.
Neutral

CIVIC CONFIDENCE
2015
89
69%
24%
6%
Keeping the government
accountable requires a strong
and independent news media.
• 7 in 10 Americans said they believe a
strong and independent news media
is necessary.
• Independents were less likely than
conservatives and liberals to strongly
agree.
• Americans over the age of 50 were
10 percent more likely than
Americans under age 50 to agree
that a strong and independent news
media is required to keep the
government accountable.
Neutral

CIVIC CONFIDENCE
2015
90
83%
12%
5%
Does it make a difference to
you whether a candidate for
office is male or female?
Yes, I prefer a female candidate
Yes, I prefer a male candidate
No, a candidate’s gender does not matter when I vote
• 8 in 10 Americans said a candidate’s
gender makes no difference to them.
• Americans over the age of 34 were
more likely to prefer a male candidate,
while Americans ages 18 to 34
expressed no preference.
• Black Americans said they prefer a
female candidate at more than twice
the rate as their preference for a male
candidate.
• College graduates preferred a male
candidate twice as often as did those
with only a high school diploma.

CONTACT US
91
PURDUE INSTITTUE FOR
CIVIC COMMUNICATION
TWITTER: @PurdueICC
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/PurdueInstituteCC
YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/channel/UCtvwhTvIDiriJ7JkwPsTzmw
EMAIL: picc@purdue.edu

OUR STUDENTS
92
PICC POLLING UNIT WITH
GRADUATE ASSISTANTS
From left to right: Rachel Bibler, Cecilia Daizovi, Jonathan Goodwin, Liz Bitzer, Robert Kulzick,
Mason Arnoldy, Haley Sands, Katie Cahill, Frank Speeks, Allison Tucker, and Hannah Compton

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