Authors: Kevin M. Esterling, William Minozzi, Michael A. Neblo 

Project Description: This study tests the adage "familiarity breeds contempt" in the context of political representation. Using a randomized experiment, it finds that interacting with a legislator in a Deliberative Town Hall actually boosts constituent esteem. This effect was particularly notable among co-partisans, supporting traditional theories of representation and offering no evidence that familiarity decreases respect for elected officials.

Publication Details: Political Research Quarterly, Vol. 76, No. 1 (March 2023), pp. 173–185

 Keywords: Political Esteem, Representation, Field Experiment, Constituent Attitudes

 Filters: Journal Article, Political Psychology