Interpersonal

In today's polarized political climate, interpersonal interactions are often met with tension and disagreement. One of the key challenges in navigating interpersonal political views is the tendency to view disagreements as personal attacks. When discussing politics, individuals may feel strongly about their beliefs and values, leading to emotional responses when confronted with opposing viewpoints. By focusing on specific issues, certain interventions can address root causes and raise awareness. In David Broockman and Joshua Kalla study they show that reducing prejudice poses a big challenge. Mass media interventions do not effectively diminish prejudiced attitudes. Their findings suggest that targeted interpersonal interventions can be a powerful tool for promoting social change and reducing prejudice. By engaging people and challenging stereotypes and misconceptions, it is possible to foster empathy, understanding, and acceptance of marginalized groups. David Broockman and Joshua Kalla canvassing research reminded me of Jane Elliott's "Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes Experiment". Elliott's exercise was designed to teach people about the impact of discrimination based on physical characteristics such as eye color. Her experiment had a profound effect and became a powerful tool for raising awareness about the nature of prejudice in society. 

But the influence of partisan news sources do shape individual opinions and contribute to political polarization. In a study conducted by James N. Druckman, Matthew S. Levendusky, and Audrey McLain they address a significant gap in partisan media effects. In their study, "No Need to Watch: How the Effects of Partisan Media Can Spread via Interpersonal Discussions," they mention the two step communication flow theory. According to the theory, there is a two step process in which opinion leaders initially receive and interpret media messages, after which they convey these messages to their peers in different ways. For example  4chan, an anonymous online forum has had a massive influence individuals who do not directly consume its media through the spread of memes and internet culture. These memes can shape public discourse, influence popular opinion, and even impact political discussions. Understanding the impact of how individuals who do not directly consume its media requires a nuanced and critical examination of how the platform shapes online and offline interactions.