Which of the following statements about negative campaign advertisements is true?

• A. Negative campaign advertisements are illegal in most democratic countries.
• B. Negative campaign advertisements can increase voter awareness of issues but may also decrease overall voter turnout.
• C. Negative campaign advertisements have no impact on voters' attitudes or behaviors.
• D. Negative campaign advertisements are always more effective than positive advertisements in persuading voters.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of negative campaign advertisements. These are political ads that focus on criticizing or attacking an opponent rather than promoting the candidate's own policies or qualities.
2. Step 2: Evaluate the legality of negative campaign advertisements. Research shows that such ads are generally legal in democratic countries, so the statement that they are illegal in most democratic countries is false.
3. Step 3: Consider the impact of negative campaign advertisements on voter attitudes and behaviors. Psychological research indicates that these ads can increase voter awareness of political issues by highlighting differences between candidates.
4. Step 4: Analyze the effect of negative ads on voter turnout. Studies suggest that while negative ads raise awareness, they can also lead to voter cynicism or apathy, potentially decreasing overall voter turnout.
5. Step 5: Compare the effectiveness of negative versus positive campaign advertisements. Evidence shows that negative ads are not always more effective; their impact varies depending on context, audience, and message framing.