It's how you ask the question that matters

[andrewducker]

The New York Times took a poll.  They asked half the people whether they thought that gay men and lesbians should be allowed to serve openly in the US army.  60% said yes.  They asked the other half whether they thought that homosexuals should be allowed to serve openly in the US army.  44% said yes.

One can only assume that people are made of crazy.  And stupid.

From

Comments

[meihua.livejournal.com]

No, you should assume that their views are lightly held, so that a small difference in phrasing will change them.

[cairmen.livejournal.com]

Semiotics. They're interesting and important. No, two apparently equivalent words do not, in real world terms, mean the same thing.

[meaningrequired.livejournal.com]

I saw something in the BPS digest, suggesting how you frame something can change a person's thought processes toward it. I think we all make (unconscious) associations and the word "homosexuals" might be triggering to some people but "gay men and lesbians" don't seem to hold the same impact.

http://bps-research-digest.blogspot.com/2010/02/how-framing-affects-our-thought.html

[coalescent.livejournal.com]

"68% think we spend too much on foreign aid. 59% think it should be cut"

(Yeah, the semiotics comments are more relevant, but this is funnier!)