Algorithms vs. Human Nature: A Tale of Selective Exposure

<p>The public’s turn towards news websites and social media for news consumption has sparked anxiety over echo chambers, avoidance of opinion-challenging content, and potentially fragmentation and polarization among sociopolitical groups. Algorithms have specifically been blamed for increasing the ease of filtering out counter-attitudinal online content and potentially exacerbating selective exposure tendencies. However, longstanding classic psychological research has demonstrated the ubiquitous phenomenon of cognitive dissonance and selective exposure far before the internet became the primary tool for news consumption. Research investigating how algorithms directly influence online approach and avoidance behavior is unfortunately scarce. This dissertation work aimed to analyze the impact of an algorithm system during online information consumption on selective exposure behavior. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: a neutral condition where presented articles are balanced in attitudinal valence; an algorithm condition where presented articles update to match previous selection behavior; and a motivated condition where participants are encouraged to explore dissimilar viewpoints. Overall, a-priori hypotheses were not supported, and condition had virtually no effect on dependent variables, including selective exposure tendency. However, results provide an in-depth look into perceptual and behavioral processes of highly polarized individuals during the information-seeking process. </p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Year dc:date.available

2022

Author dc:creator

• Wamsley, Dené E. M.

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Beike, Denise R.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Makhanova, Anastasia
• Eidelman, Scott H.

• Algorithms
• Experimental psychology
• Online communication
• Social media
• Social psychology
• Experimental Analysis of Behavior

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/4523

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarworks.uark.edu:etd-6073