Understanding the role of identity in self-reported emotional reactions to political information

Abstract

This study aims to investigate whether identity biases self-reported emotional reactions and whether the combined methods of subtraction and identity outlet can reduce this bias. The first assessment includes measures of dispositions toward anger and anxiety, as well as self-identification as a pro-Israel activist. In the second assessment, participants are asked to read a description of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement (BDS) and report their emotional reactions under one of two conditions, with or without the use of identity outlet and subtraction. The hypothesis is that these methods will make the self-reported emotional reactions both lower and less influenced by pro-Israel identity and more reflective of actual emotional dispositions. By exploring the impact of identity on emotional reactions and the effectiveness of different methods in reducing such biases, this study has the potential to contribute to a better understanding of how identity influences our responses to politically charged issues. (from Introduction)