Do the folk actually hold folk-economic beliefs?

Abstract

Boyer and Petersen argue that folk-economic beliefs are widespread—shaped by evolved cognitive systems—and they offer exemplar beliefs to illustrate their thesis. We highlight evidence of substantial variation in one domain of these exemplars; beliefs about immigration. Contra B&Ps exemplars, the balance of this evidence suggests the “folk” may actually hold positive beliefs about the economic impact of immigration.

Publication
Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 41, e190
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Ben Tappin
Assistant Professor