The role of partisan news and political parasocial relationships in shaping meta‐perceptions: Cross‐national evidence

Abstract

Communities worldwide face growing polarization, often fueled by misperceptions. Across three studies, we investigate the relationship between partisan news media exposure and meta‐(mis)perceptions (e.g., meta‐prejudice, meta‐dehumanization) in the United States and Israel. We also examine whether this relationship is moderated by political and religious affiliation, and whether partisan news media exposure is associated with meta‐perceptions through political parasocial relationships (PPSRs). In Study 1 ( N  = 2707 US adults), results showed that outgroup partisan news media exposure was associated with reduced negative meta‐perceptions among Republicans and Democrats. In Study 2 ( N  = 969 Israeli adults), results revealed that only exposure to ultra‐Orthodox news media was related to reduced negative meta‐perceptions among secular and ultra‐Orthodox individuals. Lastly, Study 3 ( N  = 761 US adults) replicated Study 1 among Democrats, and results revealed that this relationship is mediated by PPSR. Overall, these results highlight the significant association between outgroup media exposure and meta‐perceptions and highlight the theoretical importance of PPSR.