Rachael Moyer - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Rachael Moyer
Review of Policy Research, 2022
Highly contested energy and environmental policy issues are often characterized by entrenched pol... more Highly contested energy and environmental policy issues are often characterized by entrenched policy debates and inconsistent or failed policies. This study examines the cognition of polarized policy positions in an effort to explain what factors influence the mental models’ individuals use to think about hydraulic fracturing and adopted policy positions on the controversial issue of hydraulic fracturing. The study first examines the role of affect on the use of “cognitive policy images” or the individual-level mental models used to represent policy positions on hydraulic fracturing using structural topic modeling. Next, regression analysis is used to estimate the effects of theoretically relevant factors on cognition. While previous studies have focused on public attitudes, this study takes a comparative approach to examine policy elite and public cognition around this controversial issue. A comparative approach not only points to subtle differences in how elites and members of the general public cognitively process this controversial policy issue but also provides some insight into how political sophistication factors into cognition and influences policy positions on hydraulic fracturing practices. Conclusions discuss some practical, methodological, and theoretical implications of this work.
Review of Policy Research
Highly contested energy and environmental policy issues are often characterized by entrenched pol... more Highly contested energy and environmental policy issues are often characterized by entrenched policy debates and inconsistent or failed policies. This study examines the cognition of polarized policy positions in an effort to explain what factors influence the mental models’ individuals use to think about hydraulic fracturing and adopted policy positions on the controversial issue of hydraulic fracturing. The study first examines the role of affect on the use of “cognitive policy images” or the individual-level mental models used to represent policy positions on hydraulic fracturing using structural topic modeling. Next, regression analysis is used to estimate the effects of theoretically relevant factors on cognition. While previous studies have focused on public attitudes, this study takes a comparative approach to examine policy elite and public cognition around this controversial issue. A comparative approach not only points to subtle differences in how elites and members of the general public cognitively process this controversial policy issue but also provides some insight into how political sophistication factors into cognition and influences policy positions on hydraulic fracturing practices. Conclusions discuss some practical, methodological, and theoretical implications of this work.
Policy Studies Journal, 2021
As the United States strives to foster energy independence and economic growth, pressure to prese... more As the United States strives to foster energy independence and economic growth, pressure to preserve existing natural resources and minimize potential contributions to global climate changes confounds energy policymaking. This is particularly evident in the rapid expansion of hydraulic fracturing (or "fracking") implemented to extract oil and natural gas from deep shale rock formations. Perceived as innovative yet highly controversial. Proponents of fracking argue that such operations are essential to boost domestic production of the so-called "bridge" fuels. However, the technical complexities surrounding fracking practices have created a sense of uncertainty regarding the potential negative externalities such as undesirable environmental consequences. This research attempts to explain such attitudinal differences well represented in the ongoing fracking policy debate. Grounded on dual process theory of judgment, we take a novel approach using original survey data (n=585) to investigate the triadic relationship between personal (a) value predispositions, (b) affect-driven semantic expressions, and (c) benefit-risk perceptions on fracking practices among local policy elites in Arkansas, a state with a history of active fracking operations in the Fayetteville Shale, and in Oregon, a state with no history of fracking practices. We conclude this paper by providing theoretical, practical, and methodological ramifications of our findings for existing policy research and policymaking process.
CSN: Communication (Culture) (Topic), 2019
The use of hydraulic fracturing (HF) technologies to extract oil and gas in the United States has... more The use of hydraulic fracturing (HF) technologies to extract oil and gas in the United States has sparked contentious policy debates. Constituting these debates, competing policy narratives position HF as either a threat to the environment or as an opportunity to realize economic gain. This paper examines how policy elites and the general public cognitively internalize competing HF policy narratives, comparing their cognitive patterns of semantic narrative elements. Based on original survey data, structural topic modeling (STM) is applied to extract latent topics from open-ended text responses and to unpack relationships between narrative cognition and theory-driven correlates including socially constructed worldviews, party identity, trust, and demographic characteristics. We find that worldviews guide the cognitive selection of narrative elements for both policy elites and members of the general public in similar but distinct ways. We then discuss how our findings contribute to th...
The use of hydraulic fracturing (HF) technologies to extract oil and gas in the United States has... more The use of hydraulic fracturing (HF) technologies to extract oil and gas in the United States has sparked contentious policy debates, producing inconsistent and inefficient policies that have done little to address the impacts of HF in any comprehensive way. Debates are accompanied by competing policy narratives that position HF as either an environmental threat or an economic opportunity, but little is known about how policy narratives around HF are used by individuals. This dissertation systematically examines how individuals cognitively internalize elements of competing HF policy narratives. Organized into three empirical chapters, this dissertation analyzes narrative cognition (Jones, Shanahan, and McBeth 2014) around HF, providing a rare look at policy elites, those engaged in the energy policy subsystem with the resources and potential to influence HF policy development. The first empirical chapter applies structural topic modeling to examine how policy elites cognitively inte...
Following a proposal for the installation of high voltage power lines in northwest Arkansas, a co... more Following a proposal for the installation of high voltage power lines in northwest Arkansas, a controversial policy debate emerged. Proponents of the transmission line argue that such an installation is inevitable and necessary to efficiently and reliably support the identified electric load in the region. Opponents claim that the lines will degrade the natural environment and hamper the tourism-based local economy in affected regions, notably in Ozark Mountain areas. This study seeks to understand how local policy elites perceive the benefits and risks associated with proposed transmission lines, which is a critical step in comprehending the formation and changes of related government policies. First, based upon the dual process theory of judgment, this study systematically investigates the triadic relationships between (a) more profound personal value predispositions, (b) affects and feelings, and (c) perceived benefits and risks related to the proposed installation of high voltag...
World Medical & Health Policy
Review of Policy Research, 2022
Highly contested energy and environmental policy issues are often characterized by entrenched pol... more Highly contested energy and environmental policy issues are often characterized by entrenched policy debates and inconsistent or failed policies. This study examines the cognition of polarized policy positions in an effort to explain what factors influence the mental models’ individuals use to think about hydraulic fracturing and adopted policy positions on the controversial issue of hydraulic fracturing. The study first examines the role of affect on the use of “cognitive policy images” or the individual-level mental models used to represent policy positions on hydraulic fracturing using structural topic modeling. Next, regression analysis is used to estimate the effects of theoretically relevant factors on cognition. While previous studies have focused on public attitudes, this study takes a comparative approach to examine policy elite and public cognition around this controversial issue. A comparative approach not only points to subtle differences in how elites and members of the general public cognitively process this controversial policy issue but also provides some insight into how political sophistication factors into cognition and influences policy positions on hydraulic fracturing practices. Conclusions discuss some practical, methodological, and theoretical implications of this work.
Review of Policy Research
Highly contested energy and environmental policy issues are often characterized by entrenched pol... more Highly contested energy and environmental policy issues are often characterized by entrenched policy debates and inconsistent or failed policies. This study examines the cognition of polarized policy positions in an effort to explain what factors influence the mental models’ individuals use to think about hydraulic fracturing and adopted policy positions on the controversial issue of hydraulic fracturing. The study first examines the role of affect on the use of “cognitive policy images” or the individual-level mental models used to represent policy positions on hydraulic fracturing using structural topic modeling. Next, regression analysis is used to estimate the effects of theoretically relevant factors on cognition. While previous studies have focused on public attitudes, this study takes a comparative approach to examine policy elite and public cognition around this controversial issue. A comparative approach not only points to subtle differences in how elites and members of the general public cognitively process this controversial policy issue but also provides some insight into how political sophistication factors into cognition and influences policy positions on hydraulic fracturing practices. Conclusions discuss some practical, methodological, and theoretical implications of this work.
Policy Studies Journal, 2021
As the United States strives to foster energy independence and economic growth, pressure to prese... more As the United States strives to foster energy independence and economic growth, pressure to preserve existing natural resources and minimize potential contributions to global climate changes confounds energy policymaking. This is particularly evident in the rapid expansion of hydraulic fracturing (or "fracking") implemented to extract oil and natural gas from deep shale rock formations. Perceived as innovative yet highly controversial. Proponents of fracking argue that such operations are essential to boost domestic production of the so-called "bridge" fuels. However, the technical complexities surrounding fracking practices have created a sense of uncertainty regarding the potential negative externalities such as undesirable environmental consequences. This research attempts to explain such attitudinal differences well represented in the ongoing fracking policy debate. Grounded on dual process theory of judgment, we take a novel approach using original survey data (n=585) to investigate the triadic relationship between personal (a) value predispositions, (b) affect-driven semantic expressions, and (c) benefit-risk perceptions on fracking practices among local policy elites in Arkansas, a state with a history of active fracking operations in the Fayetteville Shale, and in Oregon, a state with no history of fracking practices. We conclude this paper by providing theoretical, practical, and methodological ramifications of our findings for existing policy research and policymaking process.
CSN: Communication (Culture) (Topic), 2019
The use of hydraulic fracturing (HF) technologies to extract oil and gas in the United States has... more The use of hydraulic fracturing (HF) technologies to extract oil and gas in the United States has sparked contentious policy debates. Constituting these debates, competing policy narratives position HF as either a threat to the environment or as an opportunity to realize economic gain. This paper examines how policy elites and the general public cognitively internalize competing HF policy narratives, comparing their cognitive patterns of semantic narrative elements. Based on original survey data, structural topic modeling (STM) is applied to extract latent topics from open-ended text responses and to unpack relationships between narrative cognition and theory-driven correlates including socially constructed worldviews, party identity, trust, and demographic characteristics. We find that worldviews guide the cognitive selection of narrative elements for both policy elites and members of the general public in similar but distinct ways. We then discuss how our findings contribute to th...
The use of hydraulic fracturing (HF) technologies to extract oil and gas in the United States has... more The use of hydraulic fracturing (HF) technologies to extract oil and gas in the United States has sparked contentious policy debates, producing inconsistent and inefficient policies that have done little to address the impacts of HF in any comprehensive way. Debates are accompanied by competing policy narratives that position HF as either an environmental threat or an economic opportunity, but little is known about how policy narratives around HF are used by individuals. This dissertation systematically examines how individuals cognitively internalize elements of competing HF policy narratives. Organized into three empirical chapters, this dissertation analyzes narrative cognition (Jones, Shanahan, and McBeth 2014) around HF, providing a rare look at policy elites, those engaged in the energy policy subsystem with the resources and potential to influence HF policy development. The first empirical chapter applies structural topic modeling to examine how policy elites cognitively inte...
Following a proposal for the installation of high voltage power lines in northwest Arkansas, a co... more Following a proposal for the installation of high voltage power lines in northwest Arkansas, a controversial policy debate emerged. Proponents of the transmission line argue that such an installation is inevitable and necessary to efficiently and reliably support the identified electric load in the region. Opponents claim that the lines will degrade the natural environment and hamper the tourism-based local economy in affected regions, notably in Ozark Mountain areas. This study seeks to understand how local policy elites perceive the benefits and risks associated with proposed transmission lines, which is a critical step in comprehending the formation and changes of related government policies. First, based upon the dual process theory of judgment, this study systematically investigates the triadic relationships between (a) more profound personal value predispositions, (b) affects and feelings, and (c) perceived benefits and risks related to the proposed installation of high voltag...
World Medical & Health Policy