EXAMPLE 8 Watch That Wording!

How do Americans feel about government help for the poor? only 13% think we are spending too much on “assistance to the poor,” but 44% believe we are spending too much on “welfare.” How did the Scots feel about the movement to become independent from England? Well, 51% voted for “independence for Scotland,” but only 34% supported “an independent Scotland separate from the United Kingdom.” it seems that assistance to the poor and independence are nice, hopeful terms, whereas welfare and separate are negative words. other topics that have produced survey results that vary greatly depending on the wording of the questions include abortion, immigration, gay rights, gun control, and affirmative action.