Which term refers to the influence of wording on people's opinions in surveys?

The term that refers to the influence of wording on people's opinions in surveys is known as the framing effect. This phenomenon occurs when the way a question or statement is phrased affects the responses or opinions of individuals. For example, a survey question that emphasizes the positive aspects of a situation may lead individuals to respond more favorably than if the same situation were framed in a more negative light.

By highlighting certain aspects and omitting others, the way information is presented can significantly shape perceptions and attitudes. This understanding is crucial in fields such as psychology, marketing, and political communication, as it demonstrates how subtly different wording can lead to different conclusions and opinions.

Other terms mentioned, such as attribution theory, response bias, and confirmation bias, do not specifically pertain to the influence of wording in surveys but rather focus on different psychological phenomena. Attribution theory deals with how individuals interpret causes of behavior, response bias refers to systematic tendencies that influence how people respond to survey items regardless of the content, and confirmation bias pertains to the tendency to search for or interpret information in a way that confirms existing beliefs.