A new study shows that factual knowledge can reduce polarization on contentious topics. Participants who engaged with balanced facts about gun control shifted toward more moderate policy views—an effect that lasted even after a month. The findings suggest that, contrary to popular belief, people are open to learning facts that challenge their beliefs and that accurate information can promote a healthier discourse.
A new study co-led by Dr. Eran Amsalem from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Dr. Michael Nicholas Stagnaro of MIT challenges long-held beliefs about the role of information in political discourse: factual knowledge, rather than deepening political divides, can actually help bridge them.
Published in Nature Communications, the study tested a widely accepted theory in political science—namely, that exposure to information leads individuals to become more entrenched in their views due to politically motivated reasoning. According to this theory, people tend to reject facts that contradict their beliefs while embracing those that support them, leading to greater polarization. However, the findings from this new research tell a different story.
A representative sample of more than 1,000 Americans participated in a randomized experiment focused on the contentious topic of gun control. Participants were presented with a large volume of credible facts—some that supported their existing opinions and others that challenged them—and received modest incentives to engage with the material. Remarkably, participants did not shy away from counter-attitudinal information; they read it, learned it, and retained it. Even one month later, their knowledge persisted—and so did the shift in their attitudes.
Rather than becoming more extreme, individuals moved toward more moderate views. Importantly, this depolarization occurred without a corresponding increase in emotional hostility toward those with opposing opinions, indicating that knowledge affected policy attitudes without fueling interpersonal animosity.
“Our study shows that people are more open-minded than we often assume,” said Dr. Amsalem, a senior lecturer at the Department of Communication and Journalism at the Hebrew University.
“When individuals are given high-quality, balanced facts and a reason to learn them, they don’t simply cling to their old beliefs—they revise them. This offers a hopeful message: factual knowledge, when properly delivered, can be a powerful antidote to polarization across a range of contentious issues.”
Why This Matters Now
This study arrives at a crucial time. As political polarization intensifies in democracies worldwide, understanding how to foster meaningful dialogue is more important than ever. Misinformation, emotionally charged rhetoric, and media echo chambers often dominate the public sphere, leaving little room for nuance or learning. Against this backdrop, the idea that people can change their minds when presented with balanced, accurate information is both surprising and deeply encouraging.
The research challenges the growing cynicism about people’s capacity to engage constructively across ideological divides. It offers evidence that depolarization is not just a theoretical ideal but an achievable outcome—if the right informational tools are used. In an age when extremism and animosity spread easily and trust in institutions is fragile, the findings highlight a path forward: by making trustworthy, balanced information accessible and incentivizing engagement with it, societies may yet reclaim the middle ground.
Implications for Policy and Public Discourse
By highlighting that accurate, balanced information can lead to genuine changes in belief, the study offers a compelling counterpoint to the growing frustration with polarized discourse. It suggests that civic education, public policy, and media practices should prioritize not only the accuracy of information, but also its presentation and accessibility. Ultimately, this research could inform new approaches to journalism, educational curricula, and even social media platform design—fostering healthier, more productive conversations in democratic societies.
The research paper titled “Factual knowledge can reduce attitude polarization” is now available in Nature Communications and can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-58697-3.
Researchers:
Michael Nicholas Stagnaro1 & Eran Amsalem2
Institutions:
1) Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
2) Department of Communication and Journalism, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem
For a century, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has been a beacon for visionary minds who challenge norms and shape the future. Founded by luminaries like Albert Einstein, who entrusted his intellectual legacy to the university, it is dedicated to advancing knowledge, fostering leadership, and promoting diversity. Home to over 23,000 students from 90 countries, the Hebrew University drives much of Israel’s civilian scientific research, with over 11,000 patents and groundbreaking contributions recognized by nine Nobel Prizes, two Turing Awards, and a Fields Medal. Ranked 81st globally by the Shanghai Ranking (2024), it celebrates a century of excellence in research, education, and innovation. To learn more about the university’s academic programs, research, and achievements, visit the official website at http://new.huji.ac.il/en.