Author: Chapman University
Published: 2024/10/23
Post type: Reports and minutes – Peer Reviewed: Yeah
Issue: Phobias and Fears (Publications database)
Page content: Synopsis Introduction Main article
Synopsis: American fears in 2024 include government corruption, the possibility of global war and economic uncertainty. Fear of corrupt government officials tops the list this year, as it has for the past nine years. Americans also greatly fear loved ones getting seriously ill or dying, nuclear war, terrorism, and running out of money. The American Fears Survey asked more than 1,000 people across the country about 85 fears covering a wide range of categories, from crime to natural disasters, ghosts, spiders and public speaking.
Why it is important: The article provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of American fears, as revealed by Chapman University’s American Fears Survey. The survey, with its comprehensive 10-year history, offers a unique perspective on the anxieties dominating American society, highlighting both personal and political concerns. The 2024 findings show that fear of corrupt government officials remains the top concern, reflecting deep-seated distrust in governance. Other major fears include health concerns, cyberterrorism, nuclear threats, and financial insecurity. The broad scope of the survey, covering 85 different fears, underscores the pervasive nature of fear in contemporary America. Additionally, the article discusses how media consumption patterns can exacerbate these fears through specific content. This analysis is particularly relevant in the context of upcoming elections and potential civil unrest, as it provides crucial insight into public sentiment that could influence political and social dynamics. The survey’s methodological rigor and representative sampling lend credibility to its findings, making it an essential resource for policymakers, sociologists, and the general public interested in understanding and addressing the root causes of fear in society. Disabled world.
Introduction
Fear of corrupt government officials tops the list this year, as it has for the past nine years. Americans also greatly fear loved ones getting seriously ill or dying, nuclear war, terrorism, and running out of money.
Main article
“Chapman University’s American Fears Survey is unique in its scope and 10-year history, offering unprecedented insight into the fears of Americans from all walks of life, as well as the causes and consequences of those fears,” said Ann Gordon, Ph. .D., associate professor of political science and co-principal investigator of the survey. Gordon is also director of the Henley Social Sciences Laboratory at Chapman University, where she works on the survey closely with student researchers.
The American Fears Survey asked more than 1,000 people across the country about 85 fears covering a wide range of categories, from crime to natural disasters, ghosts, spiders and public speaking. The main American fears in 2024 are:
- Corrupt government officials: 65.2%
- The people I love become seriously ill: 58.4%
- Cyberterrorism: 58.3%
- People I love dying – 57.8%
- Russia uses nuclear weapons: 55.8%
- Not having enough money for the future: 55.7%
- The United States becomes involved in another world war: 55% [TIED]
- North Korea uses nuclear weapons: 55% [TIED]
- Terrorist attacks: 52.7%
- Biological warfare: 52.5%
Continued…
“This year, more than half of Americans expressed all of our top 10 fears, and many of them were elevated for the rest of the survey,” said Christopher Bader, Ph.D., president and professor of sociology. “This tells me that Americans are becoming more scared in general, especially.”
Recent world events have raised fears about war and terrorist attacks, as six of the top fears have to do with fear of war or war, Bader said. The fear of running out of money rose from 10th on the list in 2023 to 6th in 2024. Climate fear has been consistent year after year, with about 49% of Americans responding that they were afraid or very afraid of the effects of change climatic.
Political fears have also intensified, the survey shows, which could have implications for the November elections. More than half of Americans (51.6%) fear the outcome of the election, while 48.6% are worried about potential civil unrest following the results.
“Fear of government corruption has always been one of the top fears expressed by Americans,” said Steve Pfaff, Ph.D., professor of sociology. “What that tells us is that there is deep distrust; that American citizens are concerned about their government and fear that powerful or resourceful interests could have undue influence over the government.”
“One thing we’ve noticed over time through this survey is that where people get their information is changing,” Bader said. “Social media and websites target people by showing them things they are afraid of. Through algorithms, people are feeding their fears and we believe that is increasing people’s overall level of fear.”
About the survey
Conducted for Chapman by SSRS, this nationally representative survey uses a probability-based method. The survey was conducted in spring 2024 using a multimode design so that households with Internet could complete the survey via the web and those without Internet could participate by telephone. There were 1,008 respondents, with a margin of error of +/- 4%
Chapman University
Founded in 1861, Chapman University is a nationally ranked private university in Orange, California, about 30 miles south of Los Angeles. Chapman serves nearly 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students, with a student-faculty ratio of 12:1. Students can choose from more than 100 areas of study within 11 universities for a personalized education. Chapman is classified by the Carnegie Classification as an R2 “high research activity” institution. Chapman students learn directly from distinguished world-class faculty, including Nobel Prize winners, MacArthur Fellows, published authors, and Academy Award winners. The campus has produced a Rhodes Scholar, been named a top producer of Fulbright Scholars, and hosts a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious honor society. Chapman also includes the Harry and Diane Rinker Health Sciences Campus in Irvine. The university boasts the No. 4 film school and No. 66 business school in the US.
Attribution/Source(s):
This peer-reviewed publication was selected for publication by the editors of Disabled World due to its important relevance to the disability community. Originally written by Chapman Universityand published on 10/23/2024, content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity. For more details or clarifications, Chapman University He can be contacted at chapman.edu. NOTE: Disabled World does not provide any warranty or endorsement related to this item.
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Cite this page (APA): Chapman University. (2024, October 23). Americans fear corruption, nuclear threats and economic instability. Disabled world. Retrieved October 24, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/health/neurology/phobias/us-fears.php
Permanent link: Americans fear corruption, nuclear threats and economic instability: American fears in 2024 include government corruption, possibility of global war and economic uncertainty.
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