Hearing Personal Experiences Improves Social Evaluations Compared to Personal Opinions, Especially for Polarized Parties

Abstract

Across three studies (N=1,814), we investigate the ways in which others' statements of experience (SOEs) and opinion (SOOs) impact our social evaluations of them. In Study 1 (N=237), we collect, analyze, and qualitatively annotate natural-language audio statements along relevant dimensions (e.g., the Dignity Index), identifying a pervasive human tendency to embed opinionated language within otherwise experiential discourse. In Study 2 (N=567), we compare readers' and listeners' social evaluations of speakers, following exposure to their SOEs and SOOs, across 16 relevant and distinctive psychosocial dimensions (e.g., empathy, respect, rationality). Study 3 (N=1,010) expands upon this work, demonstrating the directional effects of SOEs on social evaluations within opinion-saturated and otherwise experience-absent environments. Across our studies, we find widespread qualitative and statistical evidence demonstrating the effects of personal experiencesharing in shaping more positive social evaluations of others, especially across lines of social polarity.

Keywords: Social Evaluations, Experience-Sharing, Opinion Polarization, Narrative Empathy, Cross-Group Communication