Duke-led research finds that anonymous conversations can reduce polarization
Maybe there’s hope for our toxic, polarized political culture.
While social media is often blamed for exacerbating incivility and partisan polarization, research led by Duke University scholars found that anonymous online conversations using a mobile chat platform they developed can reduce political polarization.
The research also showed how varying levels of anonymity can shape conversations about politics.
“Our results indicate that pairing two people with opposing views in an anonymous, asynchronous chat can increase the likelihood that they will find common ground,” the study says. “Such settings could enable people to explore opposing arguments outside the context of peer pressure, or reduce cognitive biases related to prejudice toward opposing partisans.”
The study, “Reducing Political Polarization in The United States With a Mobile Chat…
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