Is it possible to consider values as the catalysts for specific emotions, or are they two separate spheres, devoid of any connection to each other? To answer this question and based on the literature in the field, this article illustrates the simulation of an imaginary election campaign centered around the choice between two mayoral candidates: one conservative and the other progres sive. Through the presentation of a series of political messages to a sample of 1199 Italians, we examine whether different emotional stimuli produce differentiated effects on voters with specific value priorities. Our research shows how certain value predispositions interact with the emotional sphere of individuals and play a decisive (and heterogeneous) role in the electoral choice. KEYWORDS Elections, Political Communication, Values, Emotions, Italy
DE SANTIS, L. (2025). Emozioni e valori nelle decisioni di voto: un'affinità elettiva?. RIVISTA DI DIGITAL POLITICS, IV(2/2024), 293-318 [10.53227/115056].
Emozioni e valori nelle decisioni di voto: un'affinità elettiva?
Lavinia De Santis
2025
Abstract
Is it possible to consider values as the catalysts for specific emotions, or are they two separate spheres, devoid of any connection to each other? To answer this question and based on the literature in the field, this article illustrates the simulation of an imaginary election campaign centered around the choice between two mayoral candidates: one conservative and the other progres sive. Through the presentation of a series of political messages to a sample of 1199 Italians, we examine whether different emotional stimuli produce differentiated effects on voters with specific value priorities. Our research shows how certain value predispositions interact with the emotional sphere of individuals and play a decisive (and heterogeneous) role in the electoral choice. KEYWORDS Elections, Political Communication, Values, Emotions, ItalyI documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.


