Optimal Communication: Communication modes, opinion formation complexity of thinking in the Covid-19 crisis (health vs freedom)

To date, we know little about the exact role of different communication modes on opinion formation and the complexity of thinking. Psychological research (Schweiger et al. 1986) found that while contestatory communication formats (e.g. devil´s advocacy) produce higher validity recommendation than consensual formats, the latter lead to higher decision acceptance and procedural satisfaction. In a recent study, Erisen/Redlawsk/Erisen (2018) found that exposure to congruent information increases the integrative complexity of opposing thoughts. This population-based survey experiment compares the effects of different communication modes - „contestatory“ vs „appreciative inquiry“ vs „free communication“ – and two control conditions - information-only and Placebo - on opinion formation (polarization, depolarization, opinion stability), argument quality (breadth and depth of argument), ambivalence and procedural satisfaction in the context of the Covid-19 crisis (with a focus on the prioritization of health vs freedom).