Final answer:
A better approach than using the red and blue states map would include denoting counties within states voting more than 70 percent Republican or 70 percent Democrat as red and blue, respectively; and using purple for lower percentages. Another approach is to use two maps, one denoting social issues as red or blue and economic issues as red or blue.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is related to the use of red and blue states map in relation to the voting patterns in the United States.
According to psychologists Conor Seyle and Matthew Newman, a better approach is to denote counties within states voting more than 70 percent Republican or 70 percent Democrat as red and blue, respectively, and using purple for lower percentages. This approach takes into account the intrastate variation in voting and the contribution of urban areas to the outcome of major elections.
The suggestion of using two maps, one denoting social issues as red or blue and economic issues as red or blue, is also a valid approach to understand the complexity of voting patterns.