The relationship between cross-cutting exposure and political tolerance: the case of Turkey

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Tezin Türü: Yüksek Lisans

Tezin Yürütüldüğü Kurum: Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi, Fen Edebiyat Fakültesi, Psikoloji Bölümü, Türkiye

Tezin Onay Tarihi: 2017

Öğrenci: CANSU PAKSOY

Danışman: BANU CİNGÖZ ULU

Özet:

Political tolerance is a crucial issue in Turkey due to potential political polarization, prolonged inter-ethnic conflicts, and negative views toward minorities. This study examines the relationship between cross-cutting exposure and political tolerance based on the beneficial consequences of cross-cutting exposure for deliberation (i.e., unbiased information seeking, ambivalence, a realistic perspective towards one’s own view). The present study replicates the hypothesis that cross-cutting discussion (i.e., being exposed to oppositional political perspectives) can predict greater awareness of opposing viewpoints, which in turn predicts greater political tolerance (Mutz, 2002). In addition, I expect that need for cognitive closure moderates the relationship between cross-cutting exposure and awareness of opposing views. In measuring the awareness of opposing arguments, three conflictual political issues and poles for each issue in Turkey were determined with a pilot study with 74 participants. Accordingly, issue labels were “Presidency System”, “Kurdish Problem” and “Freedom and Human Rights”. In the main study, 299 participants (F=134, M=164) reported their need for cognitive closure, opinions regarding the three contradictory issues, awareness of opposing views, and their political tolerance. Using Hayes’s (2013) PROCESS macro, results supported mediation hypothesis, but not the moderation hypothesis. Findings of the study, potential implications and future suggestions are discussed.