Political Cynicism Scale
The Political Cynicism Scale measures the disposition to hold politicians and politics in disrepute, viewing officeholders as dishonest, self-serving, and unresponsive. First operationalized by Agger, Goldstein, and Pearl in 1961, the construct captures a generalized distrust distinct from disagreement with particular leaders or policies. Cynicism scales sit alongside political trust and efficacy as core measures of citizens' orientation toward the political system, and they figure prominently in debates, sharpened by Jack Citrin, over whether low trust reflects deep alienation from the regime or merely dissatisfaction with current incumbents.
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Sources
- Agger, R. E., Goldstein, M. N., & Pearl, S. A. (1961). Political Cynicism: Measurement and Meaning. The Journal of Politics, 23(3), 477-506. DOI: 10.2307/2127102 ↗
- Citrin, J. (1974). Comment: The Political Relevance of Trust in Government. American Political Science Review, 68(3), 973-988. DOI: 10.2307/1959141 ↗
How to cite this page
ScholarGate. (2026, June 23). Political Cynicism Scale (Distrust of Politicians Measure). ScholarGate. https://scholargate.app/en/political-psychology/political-cynicism-scale
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