Partisanship Shapes Polarization: A Social Identity Analysis

This paper explores partisanship as a social identity, examining its impact on political polarization. Using mixed-methods and survey data from the American National Election Studies (ANES), it analyzes how partisan identity influences individuals' views of opposing groups.

Key Findings

• Partisan self-identification strengthens ideological commitment but also increases animosity toward opponents
• Survey responses reveal that partisanship explains polarization beyond factors like media consumption or education
• Experimental results show partisan framing reduces tolerance for minority viewpoints

Why It Matters

This research demonstrates how viewing politics through an identity lens exacerbates societal divisions. By highlighting the psychological mechanisms driving polarization, it offers new insights into designing interventions that could reduce political hostility.