Why we're skeptical of the emotions we see on our screens
Why it matters: This research suggests that emotionally charged online political discourse fails to sway public opinion.
- Cornell research, led by political scientist Talbot Andrews, found that emotional social media posts are unlikely to be persuasive, despite potentially offering catharsis to the poster.
- Americans generally view emotional comments in their news and social media feeds with skepticism, undermining their persuasive power.
New Cornell research indicates that while expressing strong emotions on social media about political issues may feel cathartic for the individual, it is largely ineffective in persuading others. Americans tend to be skeptical of emotionally charged comments encountered in their news and social media feeds, suggesting a disconnect between personal expression and public influence.
