Perspective taking can promote short-term inclusionary behavior toward Syrian refugees

摘要: Social scientists have shown how easily individuals are moved to exclude outgroup members. Can we foster inclusion instead? This study leverages one of the most significant humanitarian crises our time test whether, and under what conditions, American citizens adopt more inclusionary behavior toward Syrian refugees. We conduct a nationally representative survey over 5,000 in weeks leading up 2016 presidential election experimentally whether perspective-taking exercise increases form an anonymous letter supportive refugees be sent 45th President United States. Our results indicate that message likelihood writing such positive by two five percentage points. By contrast, informational had no effect on writing. The occurs short run only, manifests as behavioral rather than attitudinal response, is strongest among Democrats. However, this also appears subset Republican respondents, suggesting efforts promote perspective taking may move action wide cross-section individuals.