Original scientific paper
Information, Debate, and Opinion Change On-line: Deliberative transformation of opinion in computer-mediated discussion
Andrej Pinter
Tanja Oblak
Jožko Križan
Abstract
The present study focuses on deliberative potential of computer-mediated discussion
forums and it approaches this question by linking the course of on-line
discussion with its opinion dynamics. It is suggested that the process of opinion
transformation, which is central to the theories of deliberative democracy,
should be seen as a function of discussion in which it takes place. Computermediated
forums are especially appropriate for this because of their tendency
to organize dialogic networks of individuals in which opinions about the issues
discussed are the main benchmarks of the participants’ identities. This idea
was tested with a quantitative analysis of the forum, set up specifically for this
study. We were able to operationalize the initial idea by using the so-called
deliberative poll. Consistent with the expectations of deliberative democracy
about rational expression and sharing of opinion our analyses show a close interdependence between rational discussion and transformation of opinions.
It turned out that participants’ opinions were expressed and/or changed because
of received information and time spent in the forum, and not because of
the normative pressure steaming from the majority opinion. On-line discussion
also had two powerful effects on the interpersonal dynamics of opinion: polarization
and homogenization around the poles. In other words, discussion
among the participants shaped a clear majority opinion while at the same time
the overall distance between the opposing opinions intensified.
Keywords
on-line discussion; deliberative democracy; opinion processes; structural equation modeling
Hrčak ID:
23001
URI
Publication date:
28.11.2004.
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