Testing the asymmetry hypothesis of tolerance: Thinking about socially disruptive protest actions

Under the asymmetry hypothesis, political tolerance and intolerance differ in their underlying psychology, making it easier to persuade tolerant become less than convince intolerant more tolerant. Using a representative sample of Dutch population (N = 546), we examined this hypothesis for people’s or socially disruptive protest actions least-liked group. Focusing on relevant contrasting values freedom speech public order, found empirical evidence tolerance: was In fact, backlash effect among participants with them showing higher as result. These findings support notion that is fragile because required self-restraint involves psychological discomfort uneasiness. However, indispensable our increasingly polarized liberal democratic societies further research social psychology topical urgent.