#12052. The (Null) Effects of Happiness on Affective Polarization, Conspiracy Endorsement, and Deep Fake Recognition: Evidence from Five Survey Experiments in Three Countries

August 2026publication date
Proposal available till 12-05-2025
4 total number of authors per manuscript0 $

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Journal’s subject area:
Sociology and Political Science;
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Abstract:
Affective polarization is a key concern in some democracies. Although past evidence suggests some ways to minimize it, there are no easily applicable interventions to work in the increasingly polarized climate. This project examines whether incidental happiness can reduce affective polarization (i.e., misattribution of affect or “carryover effect”). On the flip side, happiness minimizes systematic processing, thus enhancing beliefs in conspiracy theories and impeding person’s ability to recognize deep fakes. It has been found that happiness, anger, and anxiety have no effects on affective polarization toward political outgroups and hostility toward various divisive social groups, and also on the endorsement of conspiracy theories and deep fake acceptance.
Keywords:
Affective polarization; Conspiracy endorsement; Deep fake; Happiness; Misattribution of affect; Misinformation

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