What aspect of public opinion indicates how strongly people feel about an issue?

Intensity reflects the strength of feelings that individuals have regarding a particular issue. It provides insight into how passionate or committed people are in their opinions. High intensity suggests that individuals feel very strongly about the issue, whether in favor or against, which can influence their behavior, such as voting or activism.

In the context of public opinion, understanding intensity is crucial for gauging potential public reactions and the likelihood of individuals mobilizing around an issue. For instance, a highly intense opinion might drive people to participate in demonstrations or engage in discussion, while a less intense opinion may lead to more passive forms of engagement or even indifference.

Other aspects like stability refer to the consistency of public opinion over time, salience relates to how relevant an issue is perceived to be to the public, and direction indicates whether opinions are predominantly positive or negative. While these concepts contribute valuable insights into public opinion, they do not specifically capture the strength of feelings associated with it as intensity does. Therefore, intensity is the key factor in assessing the passionate engagement people have with specific issues.