These represent fundamental tendencies that make up the U.S. adult population.

Voting Likelihood
by "Disengaged" Trait

The strength of the "Disengaged" trait is very closely associated with Americans' likelihood to vote.

Traits determine (to a fairly predictable extent) an individual's potential behavior, which can help predict patterns such as voting. From this, a "typology system" can be created that measures multiple traits and determines to what extent they exist (singly or in combination) within the population at large. The IOOW-2000 typology system, upon which The New America Papers is based, is a statistically reliable and valid means of categorizing and differentiating various subgroups of the U.S. population, each having different combinations of traits.

Three Core Traits

After conducting extensive factor analyses and internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) tests, three core traits emerged from the IOOW-2000 data. These traits are measured by reliable multi-item scales and reflect the following orientations for individuals:

• Disengaged -- feeling a lack of community with others, a weak connection to self, and a tendency to focus on material issues.
• Coming From Within -- identifying more with community and the interconnectedness of life and spirituality while tending to have a more positive outlook on life.
• Following Tradition -- adhering to specific religious teachings, feeling there is only one correct way to live, and viewing God or higher consciousness as something separate from themselves.

Significant differences are evident between these three core traits. Yet, those having the highest levels of the "Coming From Within" and the "Following Tradition" traits share much more in common with their core values than either may realize, including spirituality. However, in our current society, it seems as if their "languages" are more often "foreign" to one another. What is truly remarkable with these three core traits is that they represent a continuum that is present to some extent with everyone.