Behavioral Models of Voting

Behavioral models of voting focus on understanding why individuals choose to vote or abstain by examining psychological, social, and contextual factors. These models suggest that voting behavior is influenced by personal beliefs, social identity, trust in institutions, and experiences rather than just rational calculations of benefit. They emphasize that voters’ decisions are shaped by habits, emotions, and social environments, making voting a complex behavior rooted in human psychology and social interactions. In essence, these models look beyond demographics to explore the motivations and incentives guiding individual voting choices.