Capitol News

Could being well-informed about politics mean you are less tolerant of differing political opinions? New research from Michigan State University indicates that those who feel confident about their political abilities may be more inclined to discriminate against individuals with opposing views. Conversely, people skeptical of their political skills tend to treat others fairly despite disagreements.

Jennifer Wolak, a professor in the Department of Political Science at Michigan State University, collaborated with Carey Stapleton from the University of Massachusetts Amherst on this study published in Public Opinion Quarterly. The research complicates our understanding of self-confidence in politics.

“We usually think that it is a good thing to feel confident about your abilities. People who believe they can make a difference in politics tend to be good citizens — they keep up with current events and participate in elections,” Wolak stated. “In this research, we highlight the dark side of political self-confidence. When people feel self-assured about their political abilities, they are closed-minded, hostile and ready to discriminate against those who do not share their political views.”

The study arrives amidst increasing political polarization and animosity toward differing opinions, which hinder progress and deepen national divides. During the 2022 mid-term election, three out of ten Americans identified polarization as the top issue facing the country.

The researchers explored an underexamined explanation for polarization: strong self-assurance and confidence in one's political knowledge. The study comprised two parts: one analyzing survey data on political efficacy and party views, and another conducting a survey experiment on tolerance for political discrimination.

Before the 2020 presidential election, 1,000 Americans participated in an online survey assessing their views on opposing parties. Those confident in their political abilities—termed as having high internal efficacy—were likelier to express hostility towards dissenting views. They were also prone to sever social ties over differences and tolerate partisan discrimination.

In an experimental survey scenario involving a hiring manager's refusal to interview based on past leadership roles within College Democrats or Republicans groups, most respondents deemed such discrimination unacceptable. However, individuals with high internal efficacy were more likely to find it acceptable not to hire someone from an opposing party.

These findings suggest that while self-confidence is generally positive, it may foster animosity within politics. Politically confident individuals might contribute more significantly to adversarial politics and partisan negativity.

“Some people are deeply engaged in politics — they watch the news every day, follow political content on social media and talk about current events with friends and family,” Wolak explained. “While these folks are less politically assertive, they are much more willing to spend time with people who disagree with them."

The research underscores potential negative implications of strong convictions but does not advise changing opinions outright. Instead, it offers insights into mitigating polarization by considering how we perceive those holding different beliefs ahead of discussions like those anticipated during the upcoming 2024 election.