Cognitive Consequences of Social Media-Induced Insecure National Belonging

Examining identity, belonging, and perception in West Bengal

Project Introduction

This research was designed as an in-field lab experiment to examine the cognitive and perceptual consequences of insecure national belonging. The study explored how individuals from different communities perceive and respond to social media content, particularly Twitter posts, under timed experimental settings, focusing on West Bengal as a context in which identity, belonging, and perception intersect closely with online discourse.

Partners

Researchers

Project Methodology

Data collection involved approximately 60-minute structured evaluations conducted in controlled lab environments, in which participants viewed and assessed Twitter posts, completed timed exercises, and answered survey questions on their backgrounds and opinions. Participants were recruited using snowball sampling under strict inclusion criteria — adults between 18 and 60 years, equally distributed between Hindu (50%) and Muslim (50%) respondents — with the survey administered digitally using Computer-Assisted Personal Interviews (CAPI) via the Qualtrics platform. The study covered all districts of West Bengal, with compensation provided to participants.

Impact

The study provides valuable insight into how perceptions of national belonging influence cognitive responses, attitudes toward social identity, and interpretations of online discourse. Its findings contribute to the broader literature on social identity, polarization, and intergroup relations, with implications for designing interventions to strengthen inclusion and reduce bias in multi-religious societies. Beyond its academic contribution, the project also provides an empirical foundation for understanding how digital platforms intersect with identity politics in India.

Documentation

This project is currently in progress, and will be updated with findings as results arise.

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