Cognitive Scaffold

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MENTAL MODEL · M4162

Shy Tory Factor

Shy Tory Factor
CultureHigh supportPolitical Science
Included
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

Supporters of the UK Conservative Party (Tory) often hide their true intentions in polls due to fear of social pressure (being seen as immoral or backward), causing polls to show Labour leading, but the election result is a Conservative landslide.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

Preference falsification. In user research, users often give "socially desirable" answers (e.g., "I like watching documentaries"), but their actual behavior is "instinct-driven" choices (watching entertainment gossip). Don't listen to what users say; watch what they secretly do.

anchor

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Respondents hide their true preferences and give "socially desirable" answers to avoid social evaluation pressure, causing polls to deviate from actual behavior (saying they watch documentaries, but actually watching gossip). There is a "preference falsification" gap between measurement and actual behavior.

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Source support: Explicit

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    en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shy_Tory_factorZH · Explicit
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