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Correcting inaccurate metaperceptions reduces Americans' support for partisan violence
Joseph S Mernyk1, Sophia L Pink1, James N Druckman2,3
1Department of Sociology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305.
Summary
Concerns about US political violence are high. Research shows correcting exaggerated perceptions of rival partisans
Area of Science:
- Political Science
- Social Psychology
- Public Opinion Research
Background:
- Growing concerns exist regarding potential large-scale political violence in the US.
- Existing research indicates significant support for partisan violence among American partisans.
- Misperceptions of rival partisans' attitudes may fuel support for political violence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of metaperceptions in partisan violence support.
- To determine if correcting misperceptions reduces support for partisan violence.
- To examine these dynamics before and after the 2020 US election and 2021 Capitol attack.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a series of preregistered, nationally representative studies (N = 4,741).
- Utilized correlational, longitudinal, and experimental designs.
- Included data collection before and after the 2020 US presidential election and 2021 US Capitol attack.
Main Results:
- Democrats and Republicans significantly overestimated rival partisans' support for and willingness to engage in violence (245-442% higher than actual levels).
- A brief informational correction reduced support for violence by 34% and willingness to engage by 44%.
- The reduction in support for violence persisted for approximately one month post-correction.
Conclusions:
- Support for partisan violence is partly driven by systematic overestimations of opposing partisans' violent tendencies.
- Correcting these misperceptions can effectively and durably decrease support for partisan violence in the general public.
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