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Fear and Loathing across Party Lines: New Evidence on Group Polarization

2014/12/16 by Shanto Iyengar, Sean J. Westwood, Sean Westwood · 2,463 citations
Chemistry · Psychology · Social Sciences · #Affect (linguistics) #Chemistry #Communication #Economics #Electoral Systems and Political Participation #Feeling #Incentive #Microeconomics #Polarization (electrochemistry) #Political economy #Political science #Psychology #Social and Cultural Dynamics #Social and Intergroup Psychology #Social psychology #Sociology

paper · doi:10.1111/ajps.12152

published in American Journal of Political Science 59(3), 690-707 (Wiley)

openalex publication_date 2014/12/16 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05

Abstract

When defined in terms of social identity and affect toward copartisans and opposing partisans, the polarization of the American electorate has dramatically increased. We document the scope and consequences of affective polarization of partisans using implicit, explicit, and behavioral indicators. Our evidence demonstrates that hostile feelings for the opposing party are ingrained or automatic in voters' minds, and that affective polarization based on party is just as strong as polarization based on race. We further show that party cues exert powerful effects on nonpolitical judgments and behaviors. Partisans discriminate against opposing partisans, doing so to a degree that exceeds discrimination based on race. We note that the willingness of partisans to display open animus for opposing partisans can be attributed to the absence of norms governing the expression of negative sentiment and that increased partisan affect provides an incentive for elites to engage in confrontation rather than cooperation.

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