Opinion Science #103: Taking Extreme Action with Joe Siev
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Jan 6, 2025 In this engaging discussion, Joe Siev, a postdoctoral fellow at the Darden School of Business, delves into the intriguing link between ambivalence and extreme political behavior. He reveals how mixed feelings can lead individuals to take decisive yet extreme actions, especially during crises like COVID-19. Joe also explores the role of cognitive dissonance and how our perceptions and expectations shape emotional responses. This conversation challenges traditional views on ambivalence, shedding light on its complex dynamics in various decision-making contexts.
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Understanding Ambivalence
- Ambivalence, having mixed opinions, can stem from various sources like disagreeing with loved ones or anticipating conflicting information.
- It creates internal conflict, hindering decision-making and potentially leading to delayed or outsourced decisions.
Impact of Ambivalence
- Ambivalence is important because it can hinder decision-making and action, making it hard to choose between conflicting options.
- People are more decisive when they have clear feelings about a course of action, whether to approach or avoid something.
Ambivalence and Extreme Actions
- While ambivalence typically hinders action, it can increase decisiveness for extreme actions.
- This reversal is observed in behaviors like supporting partisan violence, where ambivalence can increase willingness to act.