Leveling and sharpening are cognitive tendencies that alter how information is transmitted within communities. Leveling involves simplifying or omitting details, while sharpening exaggerates or emphasizes specific elements. In online communities, these biases can distort discussions, leading to oversimplified narratives or undue focus on certain aspects of a topic, often shaping group perceptions.
Community managers can mitigate these effects by encouraging users to share complete and balanced information. Facilitating fact-checking and promoting a culture of thorough discussion help maintain the integrity of shared narratives.
In a tech discussion forum, a user might summarize a product’s features but overemphasize a minor drawback (sharpening) while neglecting critical positives (leveling). Moderators can guide the conversation to include a more accurate and holistic view of the product.