Bridging the Divide or Intensifying the Conflict? How Disagreement Affects Strong Predilections about Sexual Minorities

摘要: This study draws on a sample of participants in online groups that discussed legalization same‐sex marriage, to examine whether exposure perceived disagreement decreases—as the deliberative theorists hope—or rather increases—as research confirmation bias predicts—strongly held predilections. Overall, participants' views towards marriage and sexual minority rights remained largely unchanged after deliberating, regardless ideological composition their groups. Consistent with model, those who strongly opposed prior discussions others disagreed them became even more opposed, this effect was not short‐term shift. Strong proponents, other hand, did polarize views, but instead slightly less favorable as result disagreement. Implications these findings for deliberation contentious issues are discussed.