Thinking against the Wind: Narratives and Reasoning Ability

39 Pages Posted: 6 Feb 2025

See all articles by Shuguang Jiang

Shuguang Jiang

Shandong University - Center for Economic Research

Siyu Wang

Wichita State University

Qian Wei

Shandong University

Date Written: December 18, 2024

Abstract

How individuals respond differently to authoritative narratives? Using a two-wave survey experiment conducted at pivotal moments in a pandemic, we find that individuals with high reasoning ability demonstrate a consistent tendency to "think against the wind," challenging prevailing narratives regardless of their direction. During the "Zero-COVID" period, these individuals perceived lower virus risks and opposed containment policies, but after the narrative shifted to minimizing virus severity, they showed greater concern about virus risks. These findings underscore the pivotal role of reasoning ability in shaping public opinion and policy support, with implications that extend beyond pandemics to other contentious public issues.

Keywords: Reasoning ability, Narratives, Belief polarization, Covid-19 D91, D83, I18, C83

Suggested Citation

Jiang, Shuguang and Wang, Siyu and Wei, Qian, Thinking against the Wind: Narratives and Reasoning Ability (December 18, 2024). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=5062447 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5062447

Shuguang Jiang (Contact Author)

Shandong University - Center for Economic Research ( email )

Jinan, Shandong 250100
China

Siyu Wang

Wichita State University ( email )

United States

Qian Wei

Shandong University ( email )

27 Shanda Nanlu
South Rd.
Jinan, SD Shandong 250100
China

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