The COVID-19-Social Identity-Digital Media Nexus in India: Polarization and Blame.

ABSTRACT: Drawing on social identity theory and research on digital media and polarization, this study uses a quasi-experimental design with a random sample (n = 3304) to provide causal evidence on perceptions of who is to blame for the initial spread of COVID-19 in India. According blame to three different social and political entities-Tablighi Jamaat (a Muslim group), the Modi government, and migrant workers (a heterogeneous group)-are the dependent variables in three OLS regression models testing the effect of the no-blame treatment, controlling for Facebook use, social identity (religion), vote in the 2019 national election, and other demographics. Results show respondents in the treatment group were more likely to allay blame, affective polarization (dislike for outgroup members) was soc

SUBMITTER: Arabaghatta Basavaraj K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8447430 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature