Effects of political identity activation and inaccurate metaperceptions on attitudes toward wolves

Polarization between groups can undermine durable conservation outcomes. Activating group identities (i.e., an individual's sense of self derived from membership in a group) can exacerbate differences, especially when people hold inaccurate perceptions of their peers and rivals. In conservation contexts, the dynamism of identity and its varying influence on attitudes and outcomes is underexplored. We conducted 2 randomly controlled experiments among residents of U.S. states with wolves (n = 2296) to investigate these dynamics in a conservation context. Results from Study 1 showed group identity activation (political identity, specifically) and inaccurate metaperceptions distorted attitudes toward gray wolves (Canis lupus) and deepened differences between people. Results from Study 2 showed a simple in-group metaperception correction attenuated this effect by reducing assumptions of polarization and limiting the effects of identity fusion. These results demonstrate the opportunity for conservation policy makers and practitioners to avoid activating identities assumed to be associated with conflict and instead counter false narratives that exaggerate division. Correcting inaccurate metaperceptions and designing identity-informed communication strategies may help bolster support for conservation goals and reduce avoidable conflict.