In this lecture, I investigate how perceptions, mindsets, and beliefs influence public attitudes toward economic policies, building on existing research. I introduce a conceptual framework that highlights the roles of self-interest, broader societal impacts, and cognitive mindsets—such as zero-sum thinking and partisanship—in shaping policy preferences. Using evidence from large-scale social economics surveys, I explore four policy areas– taxation, climate action, inflation management, and trade– and provide evidence on the factors driving policy support.