The Forbid-Not Allow Asymmetry; A Stable Question Wording Effect in Survey Research?

Previous research from the US & Federal Republic of Germany has suggested that when faced with apparently logically equivalent survey questions concerning whether authorities should forbid or allow something, Rs are more willing to endorse negative statements (not allow/forbid) than positive ones (allow/forbid). Data collected during replications of this research through interviews with a random sample of housewives in Flanders, the Netherlands (N = approximately 300), support the hypothesis that this effect is due to the behavior of indifferent Rs. An extension of the effect to other equivalent pairs is discussed. 7 Tables, 1 Appendix, 16 References. Modified HA