The roles of information deficits and identity threat in the prevalence of misperceptions
Nyhan, B; Reifler, JA
Date: 6 May 2018
Journal
Journal of Elections, Public Opinion and Parties
Publisher
Taylor & Francis (Routledge)
Publisher DOI
Abstract
Why do so many Americans hold misperceptions? We examine two factors that contribute to the
prevalence of these beliefs. First, presenting correct information should reduce misperceptions,
especially if provided in a clear and compelling format. We therefore test the effect of graphical
information, which may be especially effective ...
Why do so many Americans hold misperceptions? We examine two factors that contribute to the
prevalence of these beliefs. First, presenting correct information should reduce misperceptions,
especially if provided in a clear and compelling format. We therefore test the effect of graphical
information, which may be especially effective in facilitating belief updating about changes in
quantities over time. In some cases, though, people may reject information because it threatens their
worldview or self-concept – a mechanism that can be revealed by affirming individuals’ self-worth,
which could make them more willing to acknowledge uncomfortable facts. We test both
mechanisms jointly. In three experiments, we find that providing information in graphical form
reduces misperceptions. A third study shows that this effect is greater than for equivalent textual
information. Our findings for self-affirmation are more equivocal. We find limited evidence that
self-affirmation can help diminish misperceptions when no other information is provided, but it
does not consistently increase willingness to accept corrective information as previous research in
social psychology would suggest. These results suggest that misperceptions are caused by a lack of
information as well as psychological threat, but that these factors may interact in ways that are not
yet well understood.
Social and Political Sciences, Philosophy, and Anthropology
Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
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