Final answer:
The majority of Americans tend to have a negative view of Congress, but still express favorability towards their own representatives. This phenomenon can be explained by various factors such as partisan rivalry, media coverage, and the perception of Congress' lack of effectiveness.
Step-by-step explanation:
The majority of Americans tend to have a negative view of Congress, with low approval ratings and widespread discontentment. However, this negative perception of Congress is often inconsistent with the favorable view that people have of their individual representatives.
This phenomenon can be attributed to a variety of factors, such as the tendency to separate distaste for Congress as a whole from appreciation for one's own representative, partisan rivalry, media coverage, and the perception that Congress is no longer engaged in effective lawmaking.