Self-Persuasion: Evidence from Field Experiments at International Debating Competitions

Laboratory evidence shows that when people have to argue for a given position, they persuade themselves about the position’s factual and moral superiority. Such self-persuasion limits potential of communication resolve conflict reduce polarization. We test this phenomenon in field setting, at international debating competitions randomly assign experienced motivated debaters one side topical motion. find beliefs confidence one’s position. Effect sizes are smaller than laboratory, but robust one-hour exchange arguments tenfold increase incentives accuracy. (JEL C93, D12, D72, D83, D91, I23)