Self-Persuasion: Evidence from Field Experiments at International Debating Competitions
American Economic Review
vol. 112,
no. 4, April 2022
(pp. 1118-46)
Abstract
Laboratory evidence shows that when people have to argue for a given position, they persuade themselves about the position's factual and moral superiority. Such self-persuasion limits the potential of communication to resolve conflict and reduce polarization. We test for this phenomenon in a field setting, at international debating competitions that randomly assign experienced and motivated debaters to argue one side of a topical motion. We find self-persuasion in factual beliefs and confidence in one's position. Effect sizes are smaller than in the laboratory, but robust to a one-hour exchange of arguments and a tenfold increase in incentives for accuracy.Citation
Schwardmann, Peter, Egon Tripodi, and Joël J. van der Weele. 2022. "Self-Persuasion: Evidence from Field Experiments at International Debating Competitions." American Economic Review, 112 (4): 1118-46. DOI: 10.1257/aer.20200372Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- C93 Field Experiments
- D12 Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
- D72 Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
- D83 Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
- D91 Micro-Based Behavioral Economics: Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
- I23 Higher Education; Research Institutions