Uncovering hidden opinions: social norms and the expression of xenophobic attitudes

Abstract Social norms against prejudice are widespread and generally supported by society, yet examples of bigotry often found. I propose that anti-prejudice can quickly erode when individuals exposed to hate content, therefore, facilitating the expression prejudice. To test this, participants were invited participate in an experimental online forum discussing immigration. compare comments xenophobic content those not exposed. The empirical results show exposure hateful erodes norm compliance: more could observe, their subsequent were. effect is primarily driven likely hold anti-immigrant views. This points ‘emboldening effect’ whereby prejudiced refrain from expressing opinions absence offensive speech. Otherwise, hidden attitudes revealed. confirm context dependent preserving a ‘norm environment’ requires sustained reinforcement norm. Furthermore, composition population terms individual beliefs paramount for dynamics erosion social On whole, these findings inform effective public strategies spread speech offer new methodological approach studying contexts.