Widespread distrust in politicians is often blamed on elites. But this article turns to citizens, arguing they actively worsen the problem.
The core mechanism: a psychological bias where people prefer sharing information about others' selfish actions online. We call it "interpersonal transmission bias" — spreading stories that harm social cohesion but serve individual interests.
Data & Methods:
- Experimental studies designed to observe real-world communication chains.
Key Findings:
- Citizens disproportionally spread negative political information through interpersonal channels.
- This selective sharing directly contributes to feelings of distrust toward politicians and policy disapproval among recipients.
Why It Matters:
- Offers a crucial mass-level perspective on fostering political polarization.
- Provides insights for designing campaigns against misinformation in politics.
