Do Search Algorithms Endanger Democracy? An Experimental Investigation of Algorithm Effects on Political Polarization

被引：85
作者：
Cho, Jaeho [1 ]
Ahmed, Saifuddin [2 ]
Hilbert, Martin [1 ]
Liu, Billy
Luu, Jonathan
机构：
[1] Univ Calif Davis, Dept Commun, 1 Shields Ave, Davis, CA 95616 USA
[2] Nanyang Technol Univ, Wee Kim Wee Sch Commun, Singapore, Singapore
来源：
JOURNAL OF BROADCASTING & ELECTRONIC MEDIA | 2020年 / 64卷 / 02期
关键词：
SELECTIVE EXPOSURE; ONLINE; NEWS; MEDIA; CONSEQUENCES; ENGAGEMENT; DIVERSITY; EMOTIONS; RISE;
D O I：
10.1080/08838151.2020.1757365
中图分类号：
G2 [信息与知识传播];
学科分类号：
05 ; 0503 ;
摘要：
This study examines algorithm effects on user opinion, utilizing a real-world recommender algorithm of a highly popular video-sharing platform, YouTube. We experimentally manipulate user search/watch history by our custom programming. A controlled laboratory experiment is then conducted to examine whether exposure to algorithmically recommended content reinforces and polarizes political opinions. Results suggest that political self-reinforcement, as indicated by the political emotion-ideology alignment, and affective polarization are heightened by political videos - selected by the YouTube recommender algorithm - based on participants' own search preferences. Suggestions for how to reduce algorithm-induced political polarization and implications of algorithmic personalization for democracy are discussed.
引用
收藏
页码：150 / 172
页数：23
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