Final answer:
Opinion polls can affect voter behavior by discouraging voter turnout through exit polls, influencing campaign donations based on poll standings, and potentially causing people to misreport their voting intentions due to social pressure, which can lead to unexpected election outcomes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Opinion polls can negatively affect voter behavior in several ways. First, the phenomenon known as the "bandwagon effect" or "herd behavior" can lead to voters supporting a candidate only because that candidate appears to be the popular choice in the polls, undermining individual decision-making. Exit polls reported during an election can significantly influence voter turnout; for instance, if early results show a landslide victory for one candidate, some people may decide not to vote because they feel their vote won't make a difference, affecting the final outcome by a margin of up to 5 percent.
Furthermore, public opinion polls play a crucial role in campaign finance, as donors are more likely to contribute to candidates who are leading in the polls, potentially disadvantaging lesser-known or less popular candidates. Politicians may operate in a state of permanent campaign mode, relying on polls to remain appealing to donors and voters, yet this can disconnect their decisions from actual public need or benefit. Similarly, social pressure can lead individuals to misrepresent their true voting intentions in polls, a phenomenon referred to as the "Bradley effect", leading to inaccurate predictions and potential voter complacency.
Public opinion polls also affect governmental decision-making. Candidates who do well in polls earn more media attention, and elected officials like members of Congress or the President might take into account public approval ratings when making decisions or attempting to push policies through Congress, even though such considerations may not always reflect the best policy choices.