Skip to main content
SWStudyWalks Search

American Government / Unit 4   Gov 173 short lesson, about 20 seconds

The Bradley Effect

Captions available

The idea

The Bradley effect is a gap between poll and election results produced by voters giving a socially desirable poll response rather than a true one.

In practice

The name comes from a 1982 California governor's race: polls favored Tom Bradley; he lost.

Where people slip

Respondents can mislead the measurement — polls record answers, not hearts.

Your place on the trail

Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.

Something wrong in this lesson? Flag it  ·  Sources for American Government