Breaking Echo Chambers: An Experimental Study on the Willingness to Listen to Opposite Views
中文摘要
本研究考察人们与持相反观点者交流的意愿，这是减少极化过程中一个关键却研究不足的环节。我们向一个由 2,507 名美国人组成的样本提供机会，让其倾听关于移民、堕胎和枪支持有的相反观点。我们发现，在基线状态下，即使没有激励且提供了便捷的退出方式，仍有相当大比例的参与者愿意倾听。强调共同点会提高参与者交流并重新考虑其在堕胎和移民议题上观点的意愿。我们讨论了可能解释交流增加的机制，并提出：强调共同点提高了将沟通作为厘清某一议题之推理手段的价值。这些发现为旨在促进跨越意识形态分歧的对话的干预措施指明了有前景的方向。
Abstract
Abstract This study examines the willingness to engage with others who hold opposing views, a key and understudied step for reducing polarization. A sample of 2,507 Americans is offered the opportunity to listen to opposing views on immigration, abortion and gun ownership. We find that, at baseline, a large fraction of participants are willing to listen, even without incentives and with an easy way out. Emphasizing common ground increases the willingness to engage and reconsider views on abortion and immigration. We discuss possible mechanisms that can explain increased engagement. We propose that emphasizing common ground increases the value of communication as a means to reason through an issue. These findings point to promising directions for interventions aimed at fostering dialogue across ideological divides.