The 2018 Michigan election and the psychology of knowing
In short: When we scroll through news, we often feel smarter, even if we aren't learning anything new. This 'illusion of knowledge' can shape how we perceive reality. In 2018, Michigan's political landscape served as a high-stakes arena where these perceptions of information and leadership were put to the test.
The 2018 Michigan gubernatorial election saw Democrat Gretchen Whitmer defeat Republican Bill Schuette with 53.3% of the vote to his 43.8%. While the race was less competitive than many anticipated, it highlighted significant geographic and political shifts. Whitmer secured major margins in cities like Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Lansing, and notably flipped Kent County—a former Republican stronghold. This marked the first time a Democratic candidate had won that county since 1986. The Democratic party also won the state's Senate seat and several other high offices. They secured the positions of attorney general and secretary of state. Additionally, Democrats won every state university trustee seat and the State Board of Education.
The election was characterized by complex internal party dynamics. While Whitmer's primary opponents largely united behind her for the general election, the Republican side faced a fractured landscape. Outgoing Governor Rick Snyder refused to endorse Schuette following an acrimonious primary battle with Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley. Furthermore, Schuette attempted to downplay his endorsement of Donald Trump, a move that contrasted with the unified front presented by the Democratic party. The Libertarian Party held its first gubernatorial primary in the state during this cycle. Other parties, including the Green Party, selected their candidates at state conventions. The filing deadline for all candidates occurred on April 24, 2018.
Beyond the ballot, research into how we consume information suggests a psychological hurdle: the 'illusion of knowledge.' A study of 828 participants found that social media exposure can lead to an overestimation of one's own knowledge relative to actual facts. This phenomenon suggests that the mere act of scrolling can create a false sense of expertise, a factor that complicates public discourse on complex issues like firearm safety, where perceptions of personal liberty often outweigh public health data. The study noted that higher topic involvement might worsen these effects. However, the researchers found no statistically significant difference between exposed and non-exposed topics. This may be due to limited engagement with the platform or specific test effects.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 2018 Michigan gubernatorial election
- Also: Scrolling to wisdom: The impact of social media news exposure on knowledge perception.
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