The Devil Shift: Perceptions and Misperceptions of Opponents

Abstract

ITHIN the behavioral sciences, most research assumes that V rationality is a commonly shared attribute of mankind -that the defining characteristic of humans is their ability to examine alternatives, estimate their consequences, and then select one which allows them to achieve their goals. While pure rationalitywith its assumptions of perfect information, a complete set of preference orderings, and unlimited computational abilityhas been subjected to devastating criticism, even theories of bounded rationality assume that subjects obtain reasonably accurate information concerning the more important consequences of a few alternatives before making decisions

An obituary for national forest programmes? Analyzing and learning from the strategic use of “new modes of governance” in Germany and Bulgaria

“…In other words, actors invest cognitive 'energy' in order to keep policy core beliefs intact even in cases where they are challenged by contradictory new evidence. When new experiences or information exist, coalition actors try to filter out the aspects that challenge their policy core beliefs or that may hinder their incorporation in public policy (Sabatier et al, 1987). Hence, "policy-oriented learning often [only] alters secondary aspects of a coalition's belief system" (Sabatier and Jenkins-Smith, 1999, p. 123;cf.…”

Foes to Friends: Changing Contexts and Changing Intergroup Perceptions

“…While this measure does not capture the full breadth of the evil concept, it does measure intergroup assessments of the behavior of opponents (and allies as well). In addition, this is nearly the exact measure used by Sabatier et al (1987) for measuring the original version of the devil shift.…”

“…Since evil is defined to mean negative perceptions of the motives, reasonableness, and/or behavior of opponents (Sabatier et al 1987), this article uses the same construction variable used for applying the social construction framework. The rationale is that the variable involves an assessment of the negativity of the performance of different groups, which is a form of behavior, of different groups.…”

“…Intergroup perceptions are examined in the social construction framework by measuring perceptions of the positive or negative constructions and weak or strong power of groups. The advocacy coalition framework provides a different way to analyze intergroup perceptions with its ''devil shift'' concept, or the extent that people exaggerate the power and maliciousness of their opponents (Sabatier et al 1987).…”

To Trust an Adversary: Integrating Rational and Psychological Models of Collaborative Policymaking

“…Risk aversion in combination with the filtering of new information implies that policy elites will remember their political defeats more vividly than their victories. As a result, policy actors tend to view their opponents as being more powerful than they actually are, a phenomenon termed "devilshift" (Sabatier, Hunter, and McLaughlin 1987). Individuals experiencing devil shift distrust their opponents even more because they perceive their opponents as having the means to cause harm--not just the will.…”