중립댓글은 중립인가?: 20·30대 온라인 커뮤니티 이용자의 성별갈등을 중심으로

초록

This study examined whether neutral comments used in online and media environments can serve as a factor in reducing online polarization. Specifically, it investigated the effect of gender identity on the intention to write neutral comments, as well as the moderating effects of information-processing methods (cognitive elaboration, credibility, and involvement) and the moderated moderation effect of gender congruence with the perpetrator. In a preliminary study, 550 comments posted by users of male-dominated and female-dominated communities were analyzed. For the main study, a survey was conducted with 287 users in their 20s and 30s who use either male-dominated or female-dominated communities, recruited through a professional research agency. The results of the preliminary study showed that the type of comments varied depending on whether the commenter’s gender matched that of the perpetrator, and that neutral comments appeared only when there was gender congruence with the perpetrator. The main study further revealed that the intention to write neutral comments was influenced by gender identity, depending on the interplay between information-processing methods (cognitive elaboration, credibility, and involvement) and gender congruence with the perpetrator. These findings suggest that neutral comments are not necessarily written as a result of rational judgment, but rather may represent a strategic choice to defend or support an in-group.

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