American Red Cross, Nature Conservancy, Consumers Union and AARP are Organizations Inside the Beltway Most Trusted by Public

NEW YORK, Jan. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Among all adults who are familiar with them, the American Red Cross, the Consumers Union, the Nature Conservancy, American Public Transportation Association and AARP are seen as the most trusted among 12 large organizations that have considerable influence on public policy, business and are frequently reported on in the media. Conversely, the AFL-CIO, PhRMA, the NRA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are perceived to be the least trusted. Those organizations that are seen as being the most powerful are the AFL-CIO, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, PhRMA, the National Association of Manufacturers, and the NRA.

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These are some of the results of The Harris Poll®, a new nationwide survey of 2,237 U.S. adults surveyed online between December 5 and 12, 2011 by Harris Interactive®. 

Familiarity
The first question asked the public how familiar they are with these 12 organizations. The organizations that are familiar to the largest number of people are:

• American Red Cross                    93%
• AARP                                         85%
• National Rifle Association (NRA)   83%
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce         72%

The organizations on the list that the fewest people are familiar with are:

• National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)                                      17%
• American Public Transportation Association (APTA)                            19%
• PhRMA (Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America)       19%
• Consumers Union                                                                             22%
• The Nature Conservancy                                                                   37%

Trust
Among those who are familiar with them, the most trusted organizations (based on those who trust them "a great deal" or "a fair amount") are:

• American Red Cross                                                      85%
• Consumers Union                                                          81%
• The Nature Conservancy                                                 80%
• American Public Transportation Association (APTA)         72%
• AARP                                                                           72%

The least trusted organizations on the list are (also based on those who trust them "a great deal" or "a fair amount:"

• AFL-CIO                                                   45%
• PhRMA                                                    47%
• NRA                                                        57%

Power in Washington
The organizations listed that are believed to have the most power, based on the number of people familiar with them who think each organization has  "a "great deal" or "a fair amount" of power are:

• AFL-CIO                                                                   86%
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce                                       84%
• PhRMA                                                                     84%
• Nat'l Association of Manufacturers (NAM)                     80%
• NRA                                                                          80%

The organizations thought to have the least power are:

• The Nature Conservancy                              48%
• Sierra Club                                                 57%
• Consumers Union                                       59%
• American Red Cross                                   60%

So What?
The Harris Poll began measuring public perceptions of these organizations in 2005 and the results have generally been that those with the least power are most trusted while those with the most power are least trusted. For example, the American Red Cross, Consumers Union and the Nature Conservancy receive very high marks for being trusted; however, at the same time they are seen as having less power. However, by their sheer size and scope of work they are still able to work around their lack of power.

Groups such as the AFL-CIO, PhRMA and the NRA are the least trusted.  Nonetheless they are thought to have lots of power. These groups have risen to power status by the sheer fact they survive on controversy and their ability to play politics very well.

TABLE 1
FAMILIARITY WITH ORGANIZATION - TREND
"Please indicate your familiarity with the following organizations"
(Percentage who say they are familiar)

Base: All Adults

Note: N/A indicates organization not asked about in that year

TABLE 2
TRUST IN ORGANIZATIONS
"How much do you trust these organizations?"    

Base:  Adults Familiar with Organizations (Variable Base)

Note:  Percentages may not add up exactly to 100% because of rounding

TABLE 3
TRUST IN ORGANIZATIONS - TREND
"How much do you trust these organizations?"
(Percentage trust "a great deal" or "fair amount")

Base: Adults Familiar with Organization (Variable Base)

Note: N/A indicates organization not asked about in that year

TABLE 4
HOW MUCH POWER ORGANIZATIONS ARE THOUGHT TO HAVE IN WASHINGTON
"How much power within Washington, DC do you believe these organizations have?

Base:  Adults Familiar with Organizations (Variable Base)

Note: Percentages may not add up exactly to 100% because of rounding

TABLE 5
PERCEIVED POWER IN WASHINGTON - TREND
"How much power within Washington, DC do you believe these organizations have?"
(Percentage have power "a great deal" or "fair amount")

Base: Adults Familiar with Organization (Variable Base)

Note: N/A indicates organization not asked about in that year

Methodology
This Harris Poll was conducted online within the United States between December 5 and 12, 2011 among 2,237 adults (aged 18 and over). Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online.

All sample surveys and polls, whether or not they use probability sampling, are subject to multiple sources of error which are most often not possible to quantify or estimate, including sampling error, coverage error, error associated with nonresponse, error associated with question wording and response options, and post-survey weighting and adjustments. Therefore, Harris Interactive avoids the words "margin of error" as they are misleading. All that can be calculated are different possible sampling errors with different probabilities for pure, unweighted, random samples with 100% response rates. These are only theoretical because no published polls come close to this ideal.

Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in Harris Interactive surveys. The data have been weighted to reflect the composition of the adult population. Because the sample is based on those who agreed to participate in the Harris Interactive panel, no estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

The results of this Harris Poll may not be used in advertising, marketing or promotion without the prior written permission of Harris Interactive.

J40990
Q751, 756, 761

The Harris Poll® #6, January 17, 2012
By David Krane, VP Research, Harris Interactive

About Harris Interactive
Harris Interactive is one of the world's leading custom market research firms, leveraging research, technology, and business acumen to transform relevant insight into actionable foresight. Known widely for the Harris Poll and for pioneering innovative research methodologies, Harris offers expertise in a wide range of industries including healthcare, technology, public affairs, energy, telecommunications, financial services, insurance, media, retail, restaurant, and consumer package goods. Serving clients in over 215 countries and territories through our North American and European offices and a network of independent market research firms, Harris specializes in delivering research solutions that help us – and our clients – stay ahead of what's next. For more information, please visit www.harrisinteractive.com.

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SOURCE Harris Interactive