Nixon and Watergate

Abstract

A field demonstration of belief perseverance was conducted using survey data from the Cleveland area. Voters' beliefs about Richard Nixon were assessed three times during the U.S. Senate's Watergate hearings: shortly before the hearings began, during the Memorial Day recess, and just after John Dean's testimony. As the hearings progressed, respondents who said they voted for Nixon in 1972 persevered in their positive beliefs about him, while respondents who said the) voted for McGovern in 1972 became more negative in their beliefs about Nixon. Belief perseverance among Nixon's supporters may' have reflected their biased search, appraisal, and recall strategies for processing information about Nixon and the Watergate affair.