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Do political insults pay off? New research shows what politicians actually gain from divisive political rhetoric

A new study finds that personal attacks in politics are strongly associated with greater media coverage, but show no correlation with fundraising or policy success. Researchers discovered an asymmetric pattern of conflict entrepreneurs, who use antagonistic rhetoric to gain media attention and become 'media celebrities'.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalPNAS Nexus·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 20, 2026

Political rhetoric changes views on democratic principles, study finds

A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that exposure to norm-violating rhetoric from politicians like Donald Trump can reduce support for certain core democratic principles. The researchers found that Trump supporters who were shown his antidemocratic tweets indicated less support for partici...

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 25, 2023

Authors blame hyperpartisanship for death of political apology

Two researchers argue that hyperpartisanship has led to a decline in political apologies, making it difficult for politicians to acknowledge wrongdoing and seek redemption. This shift away from apology is attributed to the influence of social media and partisan echo chambers, which reward silence over accountability.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalPhilosophy and Rhetoric·TypeLiterature review·DateJun 29, 2022

Anti-Asian hate tweets during COVID-19

A University of Utah-led study found a surge in anti-Asian hate language on Twitter between January and March 2020, with clusters of hateful tweets spreading across the US. The researchers identified 15 geographic regions where anti-Asian hate was statistically higher than expected.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 31, 2022

Populist anti-foreign aid rhetoric has an impact on the public - but only among fans of populist politicians, study shows

A new study by A. Burcu Bayram and Catarina Thomson found that international aid institutions should not be worried about the impact of populism on global development cooperation. Those wanting to convince the public about foreign aid should focus on transparent communication and local partnerships.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalInternational Studies Quarterly·DateJul 8, 2021

Right-wing rhetoric and the trivialization of pandemic casualties

High-level government officials and influential commentators in the US trivialized pandemic casualties by adopting a tone that suggested premature death was normal. This misleading rhetoric ignored the collective costs of unchecked disease transmission and offered false reassurance about the risk of infection.

SourceDe Gruyter·JournalOpen Anthropological Research·DateMay 31, 2021

Health care use among undocumented patients

Researchers found that increased anti-immigrant rhetoric during the 2016 presidential campaign led to a significant increase in healthcare services usage among undocumented patients. The study suggests that this association may be attributed to decreased trust and increased stress related to immigration policies.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateMar 5, 2021

Conspiracy beliefs could increase fringe political engagement, shows new study

New research suggests that conspiracy beliefs can lead to more willingness for non-normative political actions, such as illegally blocking public entryways. In contrast, those who accept a low-conspiracy worldview are more likely to engage in typical political activities like voting and participating in rallies. The study's findings ha...

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateFeb 28, 2020

White Americans see many immigrants as 'illegal' until proven otherwise, survey finds

A survey found that many white Americans assume immigrants from certain countries are 'illegal' due to stereotypes and lack of documentation, leading to discriminatory treatment. The study highlights the impact of social perceptions on immigrant standing in American society, revealing a new source of ethnic-based inequalities.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalAmerican Sociological Review·DateOct 11, 2018

The rhetorical signature of Donald J. Trump

Kathleen Hall Jamieson and Doron Taussig analyze Trump's rhetoric, finding it both disrupted political norms and created challenges for governing. Trump's signature traits include spontaneity, accountability dodging, and demonization, which have led to concerns about his mental acuity and speculation about invoking the 25th Amendment.

Happy 60th, NHS ... possibly

The UK's National Health Service (NHS) is turning 60, but its future is uncertain due to a lack of scientific focus on health-system reform. The Editorial calls for a radical change in the NHS's training system and culture to address its fundamental problems.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJan 10, 2008