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Information avoidance in a polarized society

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  • Chapkovski, Philipp

Abstract

This well-powered, pre-registered study explores how the behavior of dictators is affected by allowing them, in a give-or-take dictator game, to choose whether they want to know the recipient's position on a polarizing matter. Specifically, we study whether the option to avoid polarizing information reduces the polarization gap, i.e., the difference between the amounts given to recipients’ holding aligned and conflicting positions. We find that over 30% of dictators choose to avoid potentially polarizing information, and that this choice substantially decreases the polarization gap. We also find that those who choose to remain uninformed expect the polarization gap to be smaller than those who choose to be informed.

Suggested Citation

  • Chapkovski, Philipp, 2022. "Information avoidance in a polarized society," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 101(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:soceco:v:101:y:2022:i:c:s2214804322001112
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socec.2022.101940
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    Cited by:

    1. Chapkovski, Philipp & Zakharov, Alexei, 2023. "Does voluntary disclosure of polarizing information make polarization deeper? An online experiment on Russo-Ukrainian War," MPRA Paper 116305, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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