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The Third-Person Effect
“A persuasive message may look dangerous for others and nearly harmless to you.”
01 / SUMMARY
In short
The third-person hypothesis studies a tendency to estimate larger media effects on other people than on oneself. The gap changes with desirability, social distance, message, and measurement.
03 / SCENE
In the wild
Someone supports banning an advertisement because it will manipulate the public while considering themselves immune.
04 / LIMIT
The limit
A perceived gap proves neither personal immunity nor an actual effect on the imagined third parties.
FINAL NOTE
What remains
Demand symmetrical evidence before assuming other people's vulnerability and your own resistance.