The Effect of Learning Affective Polarization
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Authors
Selker, Stephanie L.
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Abstract
In a difficult era of American politics, it is important to understand why tensions are so
high and if anything can be done to reduce the vitriol felt in politics today. A major factor
contributing to this phenomenon is known as affective polarization, or the increasingly negative
feelings or antipathy partisans feel towards each other or towards the opposite group (Iyengar,
Sood and Lelkes 2012). The increasing effects of affective polarization are so high that dislike
felt between political parties is even greater than that felt between racial or religious groups in
the United States (Iyengar, Sood and Lelkes 2012). This study seeks to find a long-lasting
solution to reduce these effects through education. By education partisans on the topic of
affective polarization, it is hypothesized that the effects of affective polarization will be reduced
and that partisans will retain the information learned. Through a panel design consisting of one
survey taken both before and after a lecture regarding affective polarization, it was found that
one session of education taught partisans about affective polarization but did not decrease their
affect. A more representative sample size, more education sessions, and more influential contact
with the opposite group might help to improve results in future studies.
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Keywords
learning, affective polarization, polarization, panel study, panel design