Why do people come to support a highly controversial law? Manipulating the clarity and coherence of a law can shape individuals’ perception and approval

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_4011E54EEFA9
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Why do people come to support a highly controversial law? Manipulating the clarity and coherence of a law can shape individuals’ perception and approval
Journal
Psychologie Française
Author(s)
Kleinlogel E. P., Nugier A., Pelletier-Dumas M., de la Sablonnière R., Guimond S.
ISSN
0033-2984
Publication state
Published
Issued date
12/2020
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
65
Number
4
Pages
337-351
Language
english
Abstract
In our research, we investigated the role of law clarity and coherence on individuals’ approval of this law in the specific context of a widely discussed and controversial topic: the ban on wearing religious signs in public spaces. We hypothesize that manipulating the clarity and coherence of a law influences individuals’ approval of that law through a change of their perception. We conducted two experiments in which participants read a fictitious proposed law. We manipulated the degree of clarity and coherence of the law and measured participants’ perception of and adherence to that law. The results consistently supported our hypotheses. Our research contributes to the literature by showing how individuals’ perception and approval of a law are malleable, even in the specific context of a hot topic. Furthermore, these findings should sensitize policy makers on how to effectively communicate new policies.
Create date
07/01/2020 11:39
Last modification date
28/05/2022 6:34
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