The “Who” Matters

Types of Interpersonal Relationships and Avoidance of Political Disagreement

Bibliographic Data

ID6334256
AuthorsAlyssa C Morey (The Ohio State University), W P Eveland (0000-0002-4761-1066, The Ohio State University), Myiah J Hutchens (0000-0002-5424-7012, Texas Tech University)
Year2012
Volume29
Issue1
Pages86-103
Publication date2012-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenuePolitical Communication (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1058-4609 • E-ISSN: 1091-7675
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/10584609.2011.641070
OpenAlexW2047553991
LanguageEN
Citations received80
References cited55

Research consistently finds that we discuss politics most often with our strong ties (i.e., our close, intimate others). As our strong ties tend to be more politically similar to us than not, the conclusion is that everyday political discussions are overwhelmingly characterized by real or perceived political agreement. However, this scenario may paint only a partial portrait of everyday political discussion. Neglected is the distinction between politically similar discussion partners, on the one hand, and similarity of views expressed during conversation, on the other. Although our strong ties may be more politically similar to us than not, they may, paradoxically, be just the people with whom we are likely to express disagreement. Indeed, this study illustrates that although discussion with strong ties increases the probability of agreement, it simultaneously increases the likelihood of discussing disagreement

Conversation · Interpersonal communication · Interpersonal ties · Political science · Politics · Similarity (geometry · Sociology · Communication · Electoral Systems and Political Participation · Law · Psychology · Social and Intergroup Psychology · Social Media and Politics · Social Psychology

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