More Americans now say academic concerns should be a top factor in deciding to reopen K-12 schools

Amid new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on how to safely reopen K-12 schools for in-person instruction, Americans are increasingly concerned about the effect of virtual learning on academic progress. Compared with last summer, a higher share of U.S. adults now say the possibility that […] Read more »

Majority of Americans Confident in Biden’s Handling of Foreign Policy as Term Begins

President Joe Biden begins his term with a majority of Americans having confidence in his ability to handle international affairs. In a new Pew Research Center survey, 60% of U.S. adults have confidence in Biden on foreign policy – fewer than said the same of Barack Obama as his presidency […] Read more »

How Americans Navigated the News in 2020: A Tumultuous Year in Review

Americans are divided – that much is obvious after a contentious presidential election and transition, and in the midst of a politicized pandemic that has prompted a wide range of reactions. But in addition to the familiar fault line of political partisanship, a look back at Pew Research Center’s American […] Read more »

Biases in Information Selection and Processing: Survey Evidence from the Pandemic

How people form beliefs is crucial for understanding decision-making under uncertainty. This is particularly true in a situation such as a pandemic, where beliefs will affect behaviors that impact public health as well as the aggregate economy. We conduct two survey experiments to shed light on potential biases in belief […] Read more »