Flemington, NJ, March 19, 2009 – A new national study conducted among 312 viewers of a video clip on the $165 million in bonuses that AIG distributed to top executives, revealed that the majority (90%) across all political parties feel there should be repercussions for the handing out of these bonuses. While most feel that there should be repercussions, a significant majority (88%) also feel that Congress should share responsibility for the backlash that has erupted from this incident.
The study was conducted by HCD Research on March 18 to obtain the perceptions and opinions on the recent controversy involving the $165 million in bonuses that AIG handed out to their top executives.
While viewing the curves, a huge upward spike in agreement occurred when the CNN reporter stated, “…law makers are seething.” The spike in agreement continued to rise as Senators Mitch McConnell, Harry Reid and Jeff Sessions commented on the situation. Another drastic upward movement in agreement was seen when Ross Eisenbrey from the Economic Political Institute quoted, “These are some of the greediest people you can imagine...”
Participants reported feeling angry and disturbed as their top two emotions while viewing this video. Most respondents agreed that the individuals should be forced to return the bonuses or the government should tax both AIG and those who collected the bonuses.
Among the findings:
“Do you feel that Congress should take responsibility for the backlash that was caused by the distribution of these bonuses to top AIG executives?”
|
|
Total |
Registered Democrats |
Registered Republicans |
Registered Independents |
|
Yes |
52% |
40% |
59% |
57% |
|
Somewhat |
36% |
41% |
34% |
33% |
|
No |
13% |
20% |
8% |
10% |
“Do you feel that there should be repercussions for the handing out of these bonuses?”
|
|
Total |
Registered Democrats |
Registered Republicans |
Registered Independents |
|
Yes |
90% |
92% |
86% |
93% |
|
No |
10% |
8% |
14% |
7% |
“Which of the following emotions did you feel the most while viewing the video? Please select one emotion you felt most.”
|
|
Total |
Registered Democrats |
Registered Republicans |
Registered Independents |
|
Anger |
69% |
74% |
62% |
71% |
|
Inspiration |
0% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
|
Sadness |
3% |
3% |
3% |
3% |
|
Skepticism |
5% |
3% |
8% |
5% |
|
Confusion |
1% |
1% |
2% |
0% |
|
Disturbing |
20% |
18% |
24% |
18% |
|
Embarrassment |
2% |
1% |
2% |
4% |
|
Pride |
0% |
1% |
0% |
0% |
|
Happiness |
0% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
While viewing the video clip, participants indicated their levels of agreeability by moving their mouse from left to right on a continuum. The responses were recorded in quarter-second intervals and reported in the form of curves. The participants were also post-viewing questions.
The Media Curves web site provides the media and general public with a venue to view Americans’ perceptions of popular and controversial media events and advertisements.
Editors/Reporters: For more information on the study, or to speak with Glenn Kessler, president and CEO, HCD Research, please contact Vince McGourty, HCD Research, at (908) 483-9121 or (vince.mcgourty@hcdi.net).
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