MOTIVATED SKEPTICISM IN THE EVALUATION OF POLITICAL BELIEFS (2006)
Abstract
We propose a model of motivated skepticism that helps explain when and why citizens are biased information processors. Two experimental studies explore how citizens evaluate arguments about affirmative action and gun control, finding strong evidence of a prior attitude effect such that attitudinally congruent arguments are evaluated as stronger than attitudinally incongruent arguments. When reading pro and con arguments, participants (Ps) counterargue the contrary arguments and uncritically accept supporting arguments, evidence of a disconfirmation bias. We also find a confirmation bias—the seeking out of confirmatory evidence—when Ps are free to self-select the source of the arguments they read. Both the confirmation and disconfirmation biases lead to attitude polarization—the strengthening of t2 over t1 attitudes—especially among those with the strongest priors and highest levels of political sophistication. We conclude with a discussion of the normative implications of these findings for rational behavior in a democracy.
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According to Taber and Lodge (2012), individuals reading controversial texts on topics they hold strong beliefs about devote more effort to processing disconfirming evidence.
“According Taber and Lodge (2012), when individuals read controversial texts about subjects on which they hold strong beliefs, they dedicate more effort to processing disconfirming evidence.”
From Teaching argumentative synthesis writing through deliberative dialogues: instructional practices in secondary education (2021) · cites this paper as Taber and Lodge (2012)
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- Authors
- Taber, C. S., & Lodge, M.
- Affiliations
- Stony Brook University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Taber, Charles S.
- Venue
- Critical Review
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2012-06
- Volume
- 24
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 157-184
- ISSN
- 0891-3811 (ISSN-L)
- 1933-8007
- OpenAlex
- W2076886682
- Cited by
- 760
- References
- 80
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 46 · 2024: 99 · 2023: 102 · 2022: 177 · 2021: 91 · 2020: 68 · 2019: 52 · 2018: 52 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 15 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 7
- FWCI
- 9.44
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Critical Review (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › General Decision Sciences › Decision-Making and Behavioral Economics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Social and Intergroup Psychology
- Social Sciences › Political Science and International Relations › Electoral Systems and Political Participation
- Keywords
- political beliefs, attitude polarization, confirmation bias, prior attitudes, argument evaluation, counterargument, political sophistication, affirmative action, gun control, democratic rationality
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