Relación entre emociones predominantes y factores motivacionales en la población del municipio de Bello durante las elecciones para alcaldes de octubre 2023

Abstract

Previous studies have explored emotions in politics, their impact on electoral decisions, and motivational factors, but mostly in isolation and even more so in Colombia, limiting the understanding of electoral behavior and the possibility of developing informed strategies to promote citizen participation. Therefore, the objective was set to analyze, through statistical criteria, the relationship between predominant emotions and motivational factors experienced by the population of the municipality of Bello during the mayoral elections of October 2023. A stratified sample of 100 participants from the 11 communes was used, employing a quantitative approach, with correlational scope and non-experimental cross-sectional design. The survey was used as a technique, and the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS) was used as instruments, with the predominant emotions of proud, optimistic, fearful, and angry, and the Pentafactorial Submodel with motivational factors (candidate, party, management, ideology, climate, and others), based on 4 questions to be answered with Yes and No. The results were analyzed with Stata. It was found that positive emotions predominated over negative ones (94.44% felt very proud and 56.25% very fearful). Subsequently, management was not decisive for the majority, but it was for voters with a prior decision; ideology influenced early decisions, losing relevance near the election; others showed a significant relationship suggesting the inclusion of new variables; climate and party had less impact, and the candidate was more relevant for those who already had a defined preference. Finally, the emotion of anger correlated positively with management, pride with the party, fear with ideology, and optimism with candidates. Additionally, climate and other factors also influenced voters' emotions. The results confirmed that emotions are not independent of motivational factors, rejecting the Null Hypothesis (H0) and validating the Alternative (H1).