Schwardmann, P., Tripodi, E. and van der Weele, J.J. (2022). Self-Persuasion: Evidence from Field Experiments at International Debating Competitions American Economic Review, 112(4):1118--1146.
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Affiliated author
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Publication year2022
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JournalAmerican Economic Review
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.