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Computational analysis of US congressional speeches reveals a shift from evidence to intuition

Author

Listed:
  • Segun T. Aroyehun

    (University of Konstanz)

  • Almog Simchon

    (Ben-Gurion University of the Negev)

  • Fabio Carrella

    (University of Bristol)

  • Jana Lasser

    (University of Graz
    Complexity Science Hub)

  • Stephan Lewandowsky

    (University of Bristol
    University of Potsdam)

  • David Garcia

    (University of Konstanz
    Complexity Science Hub)

Abstract

Pursuit of honest and truthful decision-making is crucial for governance and accountability in democracies. However, people sometimes take different perspectives of what it means to be honest and how to pursue truthfulness. Here we explore a continuum of perspectives from evidence-based reasoning, rooted in ascertainable facts and data, at one end, to intuitive decisions that are driven by feelings and subjective interpretations, at the other. We analyse the linguistic traces of those contrasting perspectives in congressional speeches from 1879 to 2022. We find that evidence-based language has continued to decline since the mid-1970s, together with a decline in legislative productivity. The decline was accompanied by increasing partisan polarization in Congress and rising income inequality in society. The results highlight the importance of evidence-based language in political decision-making.

Suggested Citation

  • Segun T. Aroyehun & Almog Simchon & Fabio Carrella & Jana Lasser & Stephan Lewandowsky & David Garcia, 2025. "Computational analysis of US congressional speeches reveals a shift from evidence to intuition," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 9(6), pages 1122-1133, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nathum:v:9:y:2025:i:6:d:10.1038_s41562-025-02136-2
    DOI: 10.1038/s41562-025-02136-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Jana Lasser & Segun T. Aroyehun & Fabio Carrella & Almog Simchon & David Garcia & Stephan Lewandowsky, 2023. "From alternative conceptions of honesty to alternative facts in communications by US politicians," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 7(12), pages 2140-2151, December.
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