Do giving voice and social information help in revising a misconception about rent–control?

Abstract

Citizens' ability to make informed and thoughtful choices when voting for policy proposals rests on their exposure to, and acceptance of, accurate information about the costs and benefits that each proposal entails. We study whether certain social factors affect the disposition to drop a misconception, the belief that rent control increases the availability of affordable housing. We design an on-line experiment where all participants watch a video explaining the scientific evidence on the consequences of this policy. We test whether letting them give feedback (giving voice) and informing them about others' change of beliefs (social information) helps in reducing the misconception. (...)