Miso Choi, “Political Orientation and Global Crises: How Political Orientation Affects Awareness of Children in Conflict”
Mentor: Han Joo Lee, Psychology, Letters & Science (College of)
Poster #103
This study explores how political orientation influences the awareness and perceptions of humanitarian crises affecting children in conflict zones around the world. Specifically, it examines the correlation between individuals’ political views, ranging from liberal to conservative, and their recognition of how wars and civil unrest affect vulnerable populations, particularly children. The research situates individuals within the political spectrum, focusing on key issues in contemporary U.S. politics such as abortion, immigration, international relations, and climate change to assess whether and how these ideological stances shape empathy and concern for global humanitarian crises. Through survey methods, participants are asked to indicate their relative positioning on these issues, and their awareness of attitudes towards the plight of children in conflict zones is evaluated. The questionnaire will include questions to assess participants’ awareness and engagement with the Russo-Ukrainian War and Israel-Hamas War as well as the exposure to news reports about children affected by war. This study aims to contribute to the broader understanding of how domestic political divisions may extend to global issues and potentially influence public support for international humanitarian efforts. The findings may provide valuable insights for academic institutions, researchers, international agencies, and non-governmental organizations working to bridge political divisions and promote greater awareness constructive discussion, and social engagement with respect to global child welfare issues.