%0 PDF %T Flip-flopping Politicians: How Voters Punish and Reward a Changing of Opinion. %A Laing, Sophie. %D 2018-07-12 %8 2018-07-12 %I Tufts University. Tisch Library. %R http://localhost/files/xs55mq757 %X Flip-flopping is not a new insult on the political scene, neither is it one that is rigidly defined. While a strict definition of flip-flopping involves quick and abrupt reversals of opinion, the label is thrown at politicians who change their opinions, often no matter the time frame. While opinion change can reveal very positive character traits such as flexibility and open-mindedness, a review of the media's usage of the term during political campaigns demonstrates that the term is used as an insult: labeling politicians as insincere, untrustworthy, or poll-pandering. Submitted in partial fulfillment of the grant requirement of the Tufts Summer Scholars Program. %G eng %[ 2022-06-10 %~ Tufts Digital Library %W Institution