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Stimulus differentiation versus stimulus complexity as factors affecting turnout in two-candidate and multicandidate races

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Abstract

Rational incentives and psychological involvement are hypothetical alternative motives for voting participation. The relationship of these alternative motives to turnout is explored in the presidential elections held between 1952 and 1976. Rational incentives as such are not more productive of turnout than other stimuli to psychological involvement in the electoral situation.

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Brody, R.A., Grofman, B. Stimulus differentiation versus stimulus complexity as factors affecting turnout in two-candidate and multicandidate races. Polit Behav 4, 83–92 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00987120

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