do bumper stickers change people's opinions?

[pstokely]

don't most people put them up to let people know their own opinions

[cherryperry]

1. They are like

preaching to the choir + all them "Don't Mesh With Texash" trucks seem to try to chase you down :scared: !

[bloom]

2. I don't think they would change the opionion of strangers

Maybe of people who know you - see it - it might make them think about their point of view - be more likely to modify it than strangers would.

[Gringo]

3. Probably not much, ususally

But when enough people start expressing a similar opinion, I do think that it can create a "bandwagon effect" but only when there are enough people saying so that viewers of the stickers get the feeling that there actually is some sort of grassroots movement of real significance happening.

I get a lot of positive comments on my Dean stickers, and have seen very few flags/pro-bush stickers lately. It's not a groundswell, but it could happen.

[bowens43]

4. Probably not but

they may encourage others to express their opinions or it may , in their minds, validate their opinions.

[youngred]

5. Not really

but sometimes they can frame an issue in a new light, be amusing and creative and just let other people know where you stand

[XNASA]

6. Not Really. But it's a good way to meet people.....

...who are like minded.

Saw a guy with a Dean sticker on his car driving through my hood the other day. I pulled up next to him at a stop-light and gave him the thumbs-up and he responded like-wise.

If I see him again, I'll make it a point to get to know him.

[CWebster]

7. Maybe

If you are a courteous and thoughtful driver.

;-)

[JayS]

8. If you see the same sticker enough it might make one start...

...to think about the issue the sticker is for. In any case, it gives you something to read while you smell their exhaust. :)

[LanternWaste]

9. I think they merely advertise an opinion....

My own opinion is that they are placed on cars ONLY to advertise an opinion.

Changing the opinion of a person can't validly be done with some pithy phrase (except here in Texas where bumper-sticker philosophy is about as deep as most rednecks can actually get without getting lost).

[msanger]

10. incrementally

I donated to Dean at the end of the last quarter, and was thinking about going to a meetup. One morning I saw my first DEAN sticker on a car and it made me happy.

latter in the day I got an email inviting me to a local dean meeting and went - in part because of the bumper sticker.

At the meeting I got my own sticker, and have gotten a few 'thumbs up' since then.

So I think it doens't so change people's opinions as it nudges them in a certain direction.

michael

[leftyandproud]

11. no

they either make you laugh, or piss you off
I don't think they persuade

[bpilgrim]

12. it gets people thinking...

wether they agree or not is another story, but look at all the money corps spend on advertising there must be something to it ;->

bumper stickers
http://mall.GlobalFreePress.com

peace

[Butterflies]

13. Probably not good for changing opinions . . .

but I always feel good when I see bumper stickers of like-minded people out there on the roads. I live in a pretty conservative area, so they make me feel less alone. That's why I have mine on my car too.

[dolo amber]

14. Dunno about changing opinions

But I DO know that my homemade "Bush is a terrorist" sticker gets a lot of attention :D