Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/282999 
Year of Publication: 
2024
Series/Report no.: 
Würzburg Economic Papers No. 109
Publisher: 
University of Würzburg, Department of Economics, Würzburg
Abstract: 
This paper examines the potential reinforcement of motivated beliefs when individuals with identical biases communicate. We propose a controlled online experiment that allows to manipulate belief biases and the communication environment. We find that communication, even among like-minded individuals, diminishes motivated beliefs if it takes place in an environment without previously declared external opinions. In the presence of external plural opinions, however, communication does not reduce but rather aggravates motivated beliefs. Our results indicate a potential drawback of the plurality of opinions-it may create communication environments wherein motivated beliefs not only persist but also become contagious within social networks.
Subjects: 
Belief bias
Social interaction
Motivated beliefs
JEL: 
C91
C92
D83
Persistent Identifier of the first edition: 
Document Type: 
Working Paper

Files in This Item:
File
Size





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.