Rielmann, Pauline (2025) The Role of Group Composition in Shaping Perceived Influence in Citizen Assemblies. Bachelor thesis, Psychology.
|
Text
BachelorthesisPaulineRielmannS5172888.pdf Download (1MB) | Preview |
Abstract
Citizen assemblies aim to improve democratic decision-making by involving a diverse sample of lay citizens in public deliberations. However, diversity alone does not guarantee equal participation. Research shows that gender dynamics often shape who speaks, who is heard, and who feels influential, with women frequently reporting lower perceived influence. This highlights the need to better understand how to structure deliberations so that all participants feel influential. The ASPIRe model proposes that starting in identity-affirming subgroups can empower participants and improve participation in subsequent diverse groups. This study tested these assumptions by examining how group composition (same-gender vs. mixed-gender) and sequencing (homogeneous-first vs. heterogeneous-first) affect perceived influence in citizen assemblies. Thirty-six university students took part in two rounds of small-group deliberation about university budget cuts in a mixed-design experiment. No significant effects were found for group composition or sequencing on perceived influence. However, exploratory analyses revealed a significant main effect of gender: women reported higher perceived influence than men. Descriptive trends further showed that women felt most influential in same-gender groups when these followed a mixed-gender discussion. A significant interaction between gender and condition order suggested that sequencing may shape women's experiences differently from men's. These findings challenge the ASPIRe model’s assumption that beginning in identity-affirming groups reliably fosters later participation. Future studies should examine how group composition and sequencing interact with gendered dynamics and whether identity-affirming spaces can encourage equal participation in diverse deliberative settings, particularly in real-world citizen assemblies where social imbalances may be more apparent. Keywords: Citizen Assemblies, Deliberation, Perceived Influence, Group Composition, Enclave Deliberation, Gender Dynamics
| Item Type: | Thesis (Bachelor) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Eichholtzer, A.C. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | None [Bachelor Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 07 Jul 2025 10:45 |
| Last Modified: | 07 Jul 2025 10:45 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/5330 |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |