arbiter
JournalsAccount

Unlocking Outgroup Access Online: Evidence From Cyprus

Nejla Asimovic

Comparative Political Studies2026https://doi.org/10.1177/00104140261431830article
ABDC A
Weight
0.50

Abstract

In regions with frozen conflicts, where group divisions span not only geographical but also linguistic lines, how does the high cost of accessing the outgroup affect interethnic relations, and how can it be reduced? While online platforms offer a unique opportunity for unmediated cross-group interaction, this potential remains unrealized in linguistically divided contexts. To assess the impact of barriers to outgroup access online, I assigned Greek-speaking and Turkish-speaking Cypriots to seek out outgroup content of personal interest over two weeks, aided by translation tools. The experiment showed, on average, significantly improved attitudes and behavioral intentions toward ethnic outgroups. By complementing the experimental data with interviews and analysis of online interactions, I theorize about the mechanisms driving the benefits of online outgroup immersion for individuals with limited offline outgroup exposure and examine how language barriers further constrain potential for online intergroup contact in deeply divided societies.

Open via your library →

Cite this paper

https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/00104140261431830

Or copy a formatted citation

@article{nejla2026,
  title        = {{Unlocking Outgroup Access Online: Evidence From Cyprus}},
  author       = {Nejla Asimovic},
  journal      = {Comparative Political Studies},
  year         = {2026},
  doi          = {https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/00104140261431830},
}

Paste directly into BibTeX, Zotero, or your reference manager.

Flag this paper

Unlocking Outgroup Access Online: Evidence From Cyprus

Flags are reviewed by the Arbiter methodology team within 5 business days.

Evidence weight

0.50

Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40

F · citation impact0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20
M · momentum0.50 × 0.15 = 0.07
V · venue signal0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03
R · text relevance †0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20

† Text relevance is estimated at 0.50 on the detail page — for your query’s actual relevance score, open this paper from a search result.