Researchers from the Center for Research on Prejudice at the Faculty of Psychology at the University of Warsaw (UW) are studying the phenomenon of internet hate. They created an epidemic model of hate speech, which was created on the basis of many experimental and survey studies. It allows understanding how people “get infected” with hatred.

Prof. Michał Bilewicz from the Faculty of Psychology of the University of Warsaw led the work of experts who investigated the use of artificial intelligence mechanisms to combat hate speech and aggression online. A publication describing this research has been published in the journal Aggressive Behavior. The epidemic model of hate speech was created as part of the Sonata Bis project of the National Science Center.

The experiment of researchers from the University of Warsaw shows that people who use hate speech rarely come across someone who expresses disapproval of them in a polite and empathetic way.

-Usually, when we encounter a hater in our everyday life, we either ignore him or confront him using aggressive language. It turns out, however, that a calm expression of disapproval may induce the author of hateful statements to reflect – claims Prof. Bilewicz.

More:
https://www.uw.edu.pl/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/artykul-prof.-bilewicza.pdf