Do Sexist Comments Hinder Participation in Online Political Discussions?

IF 1.7 4区心理学 Q2 COMMUNICATION

Journal of Media Psychology-Theories Methods and Applications Pub Date : 2023-03-02 DOI:10.1027/1864-1105/a000373

Sabine Reich, Marko Bachl

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Abstract: Women who visibly engage in politics online experience a lot of backlash. The presented study investigates sexist incivility against women in online political spaces as a possible explanation for the gender gap in online political discussion and expression. Online sexism solidifies the masculine norm in online political spaces. Drawing on social cognitive theory and the theory of normative social behavior, we understand online incivility as communication mechanisms that enforce gender norms in online political discussions. We use a preregistered online survey experiment with German Internet users to investigate how sexist comments in online political discussions affect women’s participation in the discussion, perceived social norms about participating, and their internal political efficacy. We found no effects of sexist comments on the propensity to engage in the discussion or the political efficacy to contribute. However, the presence of sexist comments increased the fear of sanctions in both men and women. The null findings of the preregistered experiment occurred despite sufficient statistical power and a successful treatment check. We discuss several possible explanations for the null effects and ways forward.

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性别歧视言论会阻碍人们参与网络政治讨论吗？

摘要：那些明显在网上参与政治的女性会经历很多反弹。本研究调查了网络政治空间中对女性的性别歧视不文明行为，作为网络政治讨论和表达中性别差距的可能解释。网络性别歧视巩固了网络政治空间中的男性规范。根据社会认知理论和规范性社会行为理论，我们将网络不文明理解为在网络政治讨论中强化性别规范的沟通机制。我们对德国互联网用户进行了一项预先注册的在线调查实验，调查在线政治讨论中的性别歧视言论如何影响女性参与讨论、对参与的社会规范以及她们的内部政治效能。我们没有发现性别歧视言论对参与讨论的倾向或参与讨论的政治效力产生影响。然而，性别歧视言论的存在增加了男性和女性对制裁的恐惧。尽管有足够的统计能力和成功的治疗检查，但预注册实验的无效结果还是出现了。我们讨论了无效效应的几种可能解释和前进的道路。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of Media Psychology-Theories Methods and Applications Multiple-

CiteScore

3.20

自引率

11.80%

发文量

期刊介绍： Journal of Media Psychology (JMP) is committed to publishing original, high-quality papers which cover the broad range of media psychological research. This peer-reviewed journal focuses on how human beings select, use, and experience various media as well as how media (use) can affect their cognitions, emotions, and behaviors. Submissions must substantially advance the current state-of the art on a theoretical and/or an empirical level. To name just a few typical fields and domains of inquiry, the Journal of Media Psychology considers manuscripts dealing with research on entertainment, computer-mediated communication (including social media), human-computer interaction, e-learning, computer and video games, virtual environments, or advertising. The journal is also open to research from neighboring disciplines as far as this work ties in with psychological concepts of the uses and effects of the media. Submissions of comparative work, e.g., crossmedia, cross-gender, or cross-cultural, are encouraged. Moreover, submissions including alternative analysis procedures such as the Bayesian approach are welcome. Starting in 2015, the pre-registration of research plans will also be possible. To ensure short turn-around cycles for manuscript review and fast publication, the Journal of Media Psychology relies heavily upon electronic communication and information exchange, starting from electronic submission and continuing throughout the entire review and production process.