I would like to introducte myself to this group and get some ideas about the use
of interviewing techniques and grids for political opinion reseearch.

When I was in graduate school (Industrial Organizational psychology), I did
quite a bit of reading about Kelly's work. Some grid themed websites that I
looked at recently reignited my interest.

At this point, I'm most interested in identifying some software and a practical
"how to" guide about interviewing. I am very interested in using the grid
technique to explore the nuances of mental maps as they relate to political
opiinions that are closely identified with "conservative versus liberal"
ideologies.

For example, how could mental maps of staunch conservatives or staunch liberals
on an issue such as marijuana legalization yield information about the types of
public relations campaigns that might be most effective for persuasion about
legalizaation or (conversely) imposition of stricter legal penalties? There are
a number of issues that might be prominent within individuals mental maps
related to this issue--here are just a few that I can think of off the top of my
head--

1. decreasd productivity of smokers
2. potential medical benefits
3. State's rights versus federalism
4. right to privacy
5. jeopardizing minors
6. tax revenue
7. respiratory problems and increased cancer risk
8. driving safety
9. "gateway" drugs
10. less destructive than alternative "recreational" drugs such as alcohol

My thought is that repertory grids coudl be used as "one person focus groups"
that would give us in depth knowledge about the referents that individuals use
to form political attitudes. Because the conservative versus liberal dichotomy
combines so many religious, social and cultural influences, it would also be
interesting to compare these maps in an effort to judge the degree of
consistency that exists within these categories. It may be that addressing some
particular "sub-issue," similar to those listed above, could result in a
significant shift in opinion for a particular constitutency, regardless of the
degree to which they "self-label" themselves or choose to identify with a
particular group.

I would appreciate any thoughts that members of this group might have on these
themes--particulary the methodolgy that I might adopt in a repertory grid
interview to understand what is most salient to individuals' political opinions
about the marijuana issue.

Thanks,

John Wilson





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