Core Values as Opinion Mediators of Same Sex Relationships
James Krueger

Abstract
Prior research on multiple frame environments has employed hypothetical issues to examine the effects of individual level characteristics on public opinion. This work adds to the literature by examining attitudes toward the legal recognition of same sex relationships. It relies on a variety of framing environments which vary the direction (support or opposition for the issue) of the frames provided to a national sample of adult subjects in 2008. Results indicate that subjects in the framed environments were better able to link their issue opinions to core values when discussing same sex marriage, and that subjects agreeing with received frames improve linkages between subject values and issue opinions for both same sex marriage and civil unions.

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