Image of newspapers (Wikipedia Commons)
Written by Dr. Gleb Tsipursky, Intentional Insights Co-Founder and President.
________________________________________________________________
Many mainstream media outlets criticized conservatives with a broad brush over the Montana Congressional special election winner Republican Greg Gianforte assaulting a reporter, Ben Jacobs. Yet, according to behavioral science research conducted by myself and others, such criticism may end up hurting the safety of journalists, instead of advancing freedom of the press and pursuit of the truth.
First, the facts of the incident itself. According to the evidence available, Gianforte grabbed Jacobs by the neck, slammed him to the ground, and punched him. The episode was witnessed and corroborated by multiple independent witnesses, including Fox News and BuzzFeed reporters. The local sheriff who earlier gave a financial contribution to Gianfortes campaign charged Gianforte with misdemeanor assault.
How did conservatives respond? The assault took place on the evening of May 24, and Fox News which had a reporter on scene quickly wrote up a fair and balanced account. The Fox News account specifically stated that at no point did any of us who witnessed this assault see Jacobs show any form of physical aggression toward Gianforte, which Fox News certainly did not have to do. In fact, the Fox News story contradicted the official statement offered by Gianfortes campaign, which accused Jacobs of starting the fight by grabbing Gianfortes wrist, a statement now widely seen as a lie. A conservative venue, TheBlaze, ran a piece critical of Gianfortes statement, and The New York Post ran a similar piece.
Many conservative politicians also responded in a worthy manner. Within 24 hours of the assault, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan stated that Theres never a call for physical altercations I think he should apologize. This length of time is quite reasonable, as Ryan needed to find out the relevant facts. Steve Daines, a Montana Senator and major supporter for Gianforte, also called on Gianforte to apologize, adding I do not condone violence in any way. Under such pressure, Gianforte rescinded his earlier deceptive official statement and instead apologized, saying I should not have treated that reporter that way, and Im sorry Ben Jacobs.
Meme saying People are most comfortable dealing with reality in terms of black or white, but reality tends to come in shades of gray (Made for Intentional Insights by Wayne Straight)
Certainly, some conservatives did not respond well. The conservative radio show host Rush Limbaugh practiced victim-blaming, implying that Gianfortes actions were not a big deal because the journalist was being insolent and disrespectful. The Daily Caller, a prominent conservative website, ran a story about some Montana voters supporting Gianfortes actions. A former Republican congressman defended Gianforte.
Such problematic responses that appeared to condone or ignore violence against reporters do not represent the majority of conservative responses. Nonetheless, The New York Times ran a story entitled A reporter was body slammed, but some conservatives want the news media to apologize. Chris Cuomo of CNN had harsh words for the Republican Party on the morning after the incident, asking You know what I hear? Silence. Where is the GOP? The Philadelphia Inquirer carried a piece entitled In Trumps America, that reporter body slam didnt come out of nowhere.
Other mainstream venues downplayed condemnation by conservatives of Gianfortes behavior and emphasized those standing by him. The Washington Post, in its editorial responding to the incident, quoted Ryans words supporting the right of people from Montanan to elect their representative, while failing to mention that he demanded an apology. In turn, The Atlantic quoted a joke made by Republican Representative Mark Sanford, while conveniently forgetting that Sanfords response also condemned the culture of hostility toward the media that contributed to Gianfortes behavior.
Meme saying Look for the actual truth, not for what just supports your beliefs (Made for Intentional Insights by Lexie Holliday)
Unfortunately, the content on these mainstream media venues fails to provide an accurate depiction of reality, which harms journalist safety. Most of the content does acknowledge in the depths of each piece that many conservatives condemned Gianfortes behavior. Yet behavioral science research on news consumption shows that 59 percent of Americans are casual readers who only read the headlines. Thus, many casual independent or conservative readers would fail to perceive the widespread condemnation by conservative leaders of Gianfortes assault.
This outcome harms the safety of journalists. Research shows that our minds interpret new information in accordance with our past beliefsa thinking error known as the confirmation bias. The confirmation bias is one of several thinking errorsknown in behavioral science scholarship as cognitive biasesthat lead to motivated reasoning, where people pre-select a certain conclusion and reach that conclusion regardless of the facts. Fortunately, we can fight the confirmation bias in such situations by evaluating the opinions of prominent influencers who have political motivations to support one side, but fail to do so or even support the other side. Such strategies have effectively changed peoples perspectives even in our current polarized environment. Unfortunately, many mainstream venues failed their readership by not conveying the data needed for them to draw accurate conclusions and thus advance press freedom.
Meme saying Lizard brain thinking is killing democracy, please think rationally (Made for Intentional Insights by Ed Coolidge)
Another problem comes from one of the strongest findings in behavioral science, which shows that human beings respond very strongly to positive reinforcement. Through the style of their coverage painting all conservatives with a broad brush, these mainstream venues fail to provide positive reinforcement to conservatives who behaved in a prosocial manner. Research suggests that optimal performance comes from a combination of internal and external motivations. External incentives according to research, are especially crucial for promoting prosocial behavior such as protecting freedom of the press.
A further issue is the equating of Trumps behavior with Gianfortes actions. Conservative venues such as Breitbart immediately took the opportunity to condemn such comparisons, and call out what the article depicted as media hypocrisy for failing to do the same when liberals used violence. As others have accurately pointed out, while Trumps actions help create a climate of hostility to the media, it is much more difficult to connect Gianfortes actions to Trumps words. Drawing such connections undermines the already-low media credibility. A much better model for reporting on this connection came from a conservative venue, The American Conservative. It ran a piece that accurately describes how the hostility to mainstream media among Republicans predated Trump, while acknowledging that Trump ramped up this hostility, and criticizing Gianforte for lacking anger management skills. Such reporting, by providing an accurate depiction that attributes only
a small part of the blame to Trumps actions, helps protect journalists.
Next time, these mainstream venues need to provide accurate reporting to avoid undercutting their credibility, to praise prosocial behavior to create incentives and positive reinforcement, and to have all readers take away accurate impressions from their headlines. You can make a difference by writing letters to the editor and making social media posts asking journalists to commit to accurate reporting and to take the Pro-Truth Pledge for the sake of protecting the safety and freedom of the press. What you can do right now is take the pledge yourself to show your own commitment to the truth.
Meme saying Why do we seek the truth? Because its the right thing to do (Made for Intentional Insights by Wayne Straight)
P.S. Want less lies in politics? Take the Pro-Truth Pledge, encourage your friends to do so, and call on your elected representatives to take it!
_______________________________________________________________
Connect with Dr. Gleb Tsipursky on Twitter, on Facebook, and on LinkedIn, and follow his RSS feed and newsletter.
See the original post here:
Why Mainstream Media Need to Be Careful About Criticizing Conservatives - Patheos (blog)
- Dan Ariely: It’s OK to cheat and steal (sometimes) - April 7th, 2010 [April 7th, 2010]
- Full Sail Behavioral Science Leadership Podcast - August 27th, 2011 [August 27th, 2011]
- Full Sail Behavioral Science Passion - August 27th, 2011 [August 27th, 2011]
- 13H Refutes CCHR: Industry of Death (Behavioral Science) - August 28th, 2011 [August 28th, 2011]
- College of Social and Behavioral Science - August 28th, 2011 [August 28th, 2011]
- GB: Behavioral Science Bill For Propaganda - August 29th, 2011 [August 29th, 2011]
- Criminal Minds - The Behavioral Science Part 2 - August 31st, 2011 [August 31st, 2011]
- Santhula Hospital - A clinical and research center for Nuero-behavioral Science - August 31st, 2011 [August 31st, 2011]
- Behavioral Science Self-Assesment Project - September 2nd, 2011 [September 2nd, 2011]
- Behavioral Science: OPTIMAN - September 3rd, 2011 [September 3rd, 2011]
- Forget the Cinderella effect: stepparents are just as likely to kill their biological children as their stepchildren - September 4th, 2011 [September 4th, 2011]
- The Behavioural Science Blog in 2010 - September 4th, 2011 [September 4th, 2011]
- introduction to behavioral science - September 4th, 2011 [September 4th, 2011]
- CSU's Behavioral Sciences Building - September 5th, 2011 [September 5th, 2011]
- Criminal Minds Season 2 - Backstage - Behavioral Science Real-life Criminal Minds (1 of 2) - September 6th, 2011 [September 6th, 2011]
- Behavioral Science: Goldielocks - September 6th, 2011 [September 6th, 2011]
- Dean Welcome Message - CalSouthern School of Behavioral Sciences - September 7th, 2011 [September 7th, 2011]
- Criminal Minds - The Behavioral Science Part 1 - September 9th, 2011 [September 9th, 2011]
- TEDx Bandung-Roby Muhamad-Socio Behavioural Science - September 14th, 2011 [September 14th, 2011]
- How Behavioral Science Applies to Marketing - Jason Anello - September 14th, 2011 [September 14th, 2011]
- Public Health Behavioral Science - September 15th, 2011 [September 15th, 2011]
- Full Sail Behavioral Science Video - September 15th, 2011 [September 15th, 2011]
- Introduction to Behavioural Science - September 15th, 2011 [September 15th, 2011]
- University of Arizona College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Commencement Speech - September 17th, 2011 [September 17th, 2011]
- Introduction to Behavioral Sciences OSPE - September 17th, 2011 [September 17th, 2011]
- Get to know NAU's College of Social and Behavioral Sciences - September 20th, 2011 [September 20th, 2011]
- 3 Minute Thesis 2010 runner-up - Will Harrison, Faculty of Social - September 24th, 2011 [September 24th, 2011]
- New Behavioral Sciences Building at Colorado State University - September 27th, 2011 [September 27th, 2011]
- Intro to Psych Statistics - September 28th, 2011 [September 28th, 2011]
- Why Do Voles Fall in Love? - September 29th, 2011 [September 29th, 2011]
- Behavioral Science: What problems do you have in your life? - September 30th, 2011 [September 30th, 2011]
- Behavioral Solutions for Climate - October 3rd, 2011 [October 3rd, 2011]
- College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS) 2010 Senior Celebration - October 4th, 2011 [October 4th, 2011]
- Enhance Student Teaching Podcast - Full Sail University Behavioral Science Class - October 4th, 2011 [October 4th, 2011]
- Music and the Brain: Depression and Creativity Symposium - October 4th, 2011 [October 4th, 2011]
- Experiment Test - October 4th, 2011 [October 4th, 2011]
- Helen Palmer and The Enneagram - October 4th, 2011 [October 4th, 2011]
- Rapid Learning: Behavioral Science And Patient Treatment - Behavioral Physiolgy - October 4th, 2011 [October 4th, 2011]
- Meet Nicole in the Colorado State University Behavioral Sciences Building - October 4th, 2011 [October 4th, 2011]
- Life As A Full Sail Student Ep. 5 (Behavioral Science) - October 5th, 2011 [October 5th, 2011]
- Happy holidays from your friends in the College of Business and Behavioral Science - October 5th, 2011 [October 5th, 2011]
- Behavioral Science Jumping Hurdles Full Sail University - October 5th, 2011 [October 5th, 2011]
- Dr. Meera Narasimhan on Mental Illnesses - Part 1 - October 5th, 2011 [October 5th, 2011]
- Science needs you: Test your word power on iPhone / iPad with Science XL free app - October 5th, 2011 [October 5th, 2011]
- Definition of Culture - October 5th, 2011 [October 5th, 2011]
- OSP Presentation: Bou's Clues (University of Santo Tomas, Behavioral Science) - October 6th, 2011 [October 6th, 2011]
- Behavioral Sciences OSPE Part 7: Informational Care - October 6th, 2011 [October 6th, 2011]
- Criminal Minds Season 2: Behavioral Science - October 7th, 2011 [October 7th, 2011]
- Behavioral Science - York College CUNY - October 7th, 2011 [October 7th, 2011]
- Miswakology Behavioral Sciences - October 7th, 2011 [October 7th, 2011]
- Criminal Minds Season 2 - Backstage - Behavioral Science Real-life Criminal Minds (2 of 2) - October 11th, 2011 [October 11th, 2011]
- Behavioral Science (A Lesson In Self Control) - October 12th, 2011 [October 12th, 2011]
- BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE LECTURE 1 - Video - October 13th, 2011 [October 13th, 2011]
- TEDxGoodenoughCollege - Jan-Emmanuel De Neve - The Genetics of Happiness - Video - October 13th, 2011 [October 13th, 2011]
- Using Denial to Cope with Grief and Depression - Winifred Gallagher - Video - October 13th, 2011 [October 13th, 2011]
- How To Survive Full Sail University - Video - October 14th, 2011 [October 14th, 2011]
- Life Positive Expo 2008 Appreciate Inquiry with Dr. Wasundhara Joshi and R Sankarasubramanyan - Video - October 14th, 2011 [October 14th, 2011]
- Dr. Meera Narasimhan on Mental Illnesses - Part 3 - Video - October 14th, 2011 [October 14th, 2011]
- Learning and Memory - Video - October 16th, 2011 [October 16th, 2011]
- Behavioral Science Proposal - Video - October 17th, 2011 [October 17th, 2011]
- 13H Refutes CCHR: IOD (Chapter 7) Psychosurgery (1/2) - Video - October 23rd, 2011 [October 23rd, 2011]
- 13H Refutes CCHR: IOD (Chapter 8) Psychiatric Drugs (1/2) - Video - October 23rd, 2011 [October 23rd, 2011]
- OUTDATED : Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection - Video - October 24th, 2011 [October 24th, 2011]
- CSUDH College of Natural and Behavioral Sciences - October 24th, 2011 [October 24th, 2011]
- Behavioral Science - October 24th, 2011 [October 24th, 2011]
- Behavioral science project. ( just one part of it) - Video - October 24th, 2011 [October 24th, 2011]
- Ramp Modeling for Dickies (UST- Behavioral Science Presentation) - Video - October 24th, 2011 [October 24th, 2011]
- Search in Psychology and Behavioral Sciences - PSCY 2301 - Video - October 25th, 2011 [October 25th, 2011]
- Forgiveness: Jesus vs Behavioral Science - Video - October 25th, 2011 [October 25th, 2011]
- PsyD Graduate Discusses her Learning Experience at CalSouthern School of Behavioral Sciences - Video - October 25th, 2011 [October 25th, 2011]
- Behavioral Science Statistics: One Sample and Dependent t-te - Video - October 26th, 2011 [October 26th, 2011]
- Full Sail University Behavioral Science Self-Awareness Exercise - Video - October 26th, 2011 [October 26th, 2011]
- FBI Behavioral Science Unit Interview - Part 2 - Video - October 26th, 2011 [October 26th, 2011]
- Full Sail BS Lab 2 Proposal - Video - October 27th, 2011 [October 27th, 2011]
- Full Sail University-Behavioral Science- Jumping Hurdles Project - Video - October 27th, 2011 [October 27th, 2011]
- Being Human - Behavioral Science Project - Video - October 27th, 2011 [October 27th, 2011]
- Behavioral Sciences OSPE Part 3: Compliance - Video - October 27th, 2011 [October 27th, 2011]
- Behavioral Science Film Fest feat. BSA1D '09 - Video - October 28th, 2011 [October 28th, 2011]
- Dan Pink Plenary Speaker Landsdowne Residency, March 2010 - Video - November 7th, 2011 [November 7th, 2011]
- Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection - Video - November 8th, 2011 [November 8th, 2011]