Brexit Divide Ignites Economic Bias: Non-Partisan Split Shapes Perceptions

The UK's Brexit referendum created a distinct non-partisan divide, influencing economic perceptions among Remainers and Leavers. This paper investigates how this salient political division triggered evaluative biases through self-and in-group justification mechanisms, aligning with the cognitive dissonance framework.

Data & Methods:

The study employs nationally-representative observational survey data alongside experimental surveys that prompt respondents about Brexit.

Key Findings:

Researchers demonstrate that economic perceptions became polarized along the Brexit divide. A significant effect emerges when people are reminded of their stance on Brexit:

* Remainers tend to view the economy more positively.

* Leavers consistently show a more negative outlook.

The Brexit reminder intensifies these pre-existing differences.

Why It Matters:

This research reveals that motivated reasoning, previously thought tied exclusively to partisan politics, can also be activated by other prominent political divisions. These findings suggest broader implications for understanding public opinion formation and economic perceptions in divided societies.