Lasting Political Attitude Change Induced by False Feedback About Own Survey Responses

Abstract

False feedback on choices has been documented to induce lasting preference change. Here we extend such effects to the political domain and investigate the temporal persistence of induced preferences, as well as, the possible role the length of confabulatory justifications may play. We conducted a two-day choice blindness experiment using political statements, with sessions being roughly one week apart. Changes in political preferences remained one week after initial responses, and were most prominent in participants who were allowed to confabulate freely. These findings, being the first to demonstrate lasting preference change using choice blindness, are discussed in light of constructivist approaches to attitude formation through a process of self-perception.


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