Public Opinion and Public Ignorance: The Fine Line Between Attitudes and Nonattitudes

The majority of people asked their position on a highly obscure bill before Congress gave a "don't Know" (DK) response in two different national surveys, but between 25% and 30% offered an opinion. The latter figures dropped to 10% or less when the DK alternative was provided as part of the question. Contrary to findings concerning most issues, more educated persons showed greater willingness to admit ignorance in these cases involving an unknown object. For those persons who did express opinions, more than mere guessing seemed to be involved: respondents appeared to interpret the wording of the question in a way that had meaning for them, and then to express a more general attitude toward that constructed object.