Reducing intergroup prejudice and conflict with the media: A field experiment in Rwanda

Elizabeth Levy Paluck ()
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Elizabeth Levy Paluck: Harvard University

No 34, HiCN Working Papers from Households in Conflict Network

Abstract: Can the media reduce intergroup prejudice and conflict? Despite the high stakes of this question, understanding of the mass media�s role in shaping prejudiced beliefs, norms, and behaviors is very limited. A yearlong field experiment in Rwanda tested the impact of a radio soap opera about two Rwandan communities in conflict, which featured messages about reducing intergroup prejudice, violence, and trauma. Compared to communities who listened to a control radio soap opera, listeners� perceptions of social norms and their behaviors changed concerning some of the most critical issues for Rwanda�s post conflict society, namely intermarriage, open dissent, trust, empathy, cooperation and discussion of personal trauma. However, the radio program did little to influence listeners� personal beliefs. Group discussion was a notable feature of the listening experience. Taken together, the results suggest that radio can communicate social norms and influence behaviors that contribute to intergroup tolerance and reconciliation.

Keywords: Education-entertainment; prejudice reduction; conflict reduction; trauma; field experiment; mass media; radio; social norms (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 71 pages
Date: 2007-10
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cbe, nep-dev, nep-exp and nep-soc
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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