Activity 12.4
Points of View Emerging from a Q-Sort

The following are a set of Q-sort statements that subjects were asked to sort along a continuum from -5 (most strongly disagree) to +5 (most strongly agree). Two points of view emerged from the Q-sorting observation. Let's call the points of view perspective #1 and perspective # 2. The scores the two groups gave each statement are in parentheses. Write a brief essay distinguishing and explaining the two points of view.

1. Government should adopt stricter standards for clean air and water even if it forces businesses to raise the prices of their products. (-1 -5)
2. Schools should be allowed to teach scientific creationism - that the world was created all at once by God and has not changed much since then. (+4 -3)
3. Government should see to it that every person has a good standard of living. (+1 -5)
4. Government should ban abortions except in cases where the life and health of the woman are in danger. (+4 -3)
5. Government should have stricter penalties for people who use and sell drugs such as marijuana and cocaine. (+5 -2)
6. Government should stop regulating business and protecting the consumer and let business regulate itself. (-1 +5)
7. The government in Washington is trying to do too many things that should be left to individuals and private businesses. (+1 +5)
8. Government should regulate the health and safety of working conditions. (0 -4)

Write your analysis.