ICES Seminar in Experimental Economics and Game Theory

Moral Echo Chambers and Outgroup Hate

Friday, October 7, 2022 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EDT
Vernon Smith Hall (formerly Metropolitan Building), 5183

The ICES Seminar in Experimental Economics and Game Theory of the Fall 2022 semester will feature:

Mohammad Atari

Harvard University

Moral Echo Chambers and Outgroup Hate

 

 

Abstract

Online radicalization is among the most vexing challenges the world faces today. Here, we demonstrate that homogeneity in moral concerns results in increased levels of radical intentions. In Study 1, we find that in Gab—a right-wing extremist network—the degree of moral convergence within a cluster predicts the number of hate-speech messages members post. In Study 2, we replicate this observation in another extremist network, Incels. In Studies 3 to 5 (N = 1,431), we demonstrate that experimentally leading people to believe that others in their hypothetical or real group share their moral views increases their radical intentions as well as willingness to fight and die for the group. Our findings highlight the role of moral convergence in radicalization, emphasizing the need for diversity of moral worldviews within social networks.

 

For more information about the Seminar Series, please visit the Seminar Schedule homepage.

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