Affective polarization in Europe

European Political Science Review, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 16(3), С. 378 - 392

Опубликована: Фев. 8, 2024

Abstract Affective polarization, a concept that originated in the USA, has increasingly been studied Europe’s multi-party systems. This form of polarization refers to extent which party supporters dislike one another – or, more technically, difference between positive feelings towards one’s own political and negative other parties. Measuring this gap systems requires researchers make various important decisions relating conceptualization measurement. Often, our focus could instead lie on assessing partisan hostility or affect, is easier measure. While recent research affective Europe already taught USA lot, both about conflict Europe, I nevertheless suggest field faces four challenges, namely developing better measures, sophisticated theories, clearer accounts polarization’s importance successful ways reducing if indeed desirable.

Язык: Английский

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Group-oriented motivations underlying conspiracy theories

Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 27(5), С. 1050 - 1067

Опубликована: Апрель 7, 2024

By assuming that a group of nefarious actors collude to harm perceiver’s ingroup, conspiracy theories are an intergroup phenomenon. What the group-oriented motivations underlying belief in theories? This contribution proposes associated with both symbolic, identity-based and realistic, harm-based motivations. As symbolic motivations, help people develop, maintain, protect positive social identity. Conspiracy can unite through shared system, provide basis for favorable comparison, enable perceivers attribute ingroup status threats external forces beyond their control. realistic prepare conflict other groups. transform abstract sense distrust into concrete allegations misconduct. provides signal outgroup is threatening, mobilizes promotes readiness fight. I discuss implications these processes theory practice.

Язык: Английский

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Supportive but biased: perceptual neural intergroup bias is sensitive to minor reservations about supporting outgroup immigration

Neuropsychologia, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown, С. 109068 - 109068

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Historical narratives about the COVID-19 pandemic are motivationally biased

Nature, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 623(7987), С. 588 - 593

Опубликована: Ноя. 1, 2023

Язык: Английский

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Affective Polarization Between Opinion-Based Groups in a Context of Low Partisan Discord: Measuring Its Prevalence and Consequences

International Journal of Public Opinion Research, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 36(2)

Опубликована: Март 18, 2024

Abstract Affective polarization has been primarily studied as a phenomenon between partisans. Recently, Hobolt, Leeper, & Tilley (2021) showed in the context of Brexit that affective can also materialize around opinion-based groups, is, political identities form extraordinary issues and cut through partisan lines. We generalize their findings by documenting emergence new conflict national low discord. Specifically, we study divisions government response to COVID-19 pandemic Germany, multiparty system where all established parties supported certain freedom restrictions contain pandemic. Drawing on numerous indicators survey experiment from representative online panel study, explored (a) prevalence, (b) consequences, (c) supporters opponents containment policies. found majority minority indications polarization. Affectively polarized citizens various group biases make productive social interactions less likely. was stable over time different sociostructural conflicts. raise questions for future research discuss what it means democracy when deep rifts are not captured main party system.

Язык: Английский

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Divided by the jab: affective polarisation based on COVID vaccination status

Journal of Elections Public Opinion and Parties, Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown, С. 1 - 24

Опубликована: Май 9, 2024

Group-based affective polarisation can emerge around new issues that divide citizens. The public response to vaccines against COVID-19 provided a clear example of basis for group divides. Despite scientific consensus regarding the dangers SARS-CoV-2 as well safety and effectiveness available vaccinations, pandemic was strongly politicised during height health crisis. Positive social identities negative out-group stereotyping developed support or opposition vaccines. Panel survey data from Austria shows vaccination are clearly identifiable related extensive trait-based in- members. Moreover, we show linked political orientations pre-date politicisation Indeed, more than decision get vaccinated itself. Importantly, help us understand downstream attitudes, preferences, behaviours pandemic, even when controlling other important predictors such status partisanship anti-vaccine parties. We discuss implications generalizability our findings beyond context pandemic.

Язык: Английский

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Blaming the unvaccinated during the COVID-19 pandemic: the roles of political ideology and risk perceptions in the USA

Journal of Medical Ethics, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 50(4), С. 246 - 252

Опубликована: Июнь 9, 2023

Individuals unvaccinated against COVID-19 (C19) experienced prejudice and blame for the pandemic. Because people vastly overestimate C19 risks, we examined whether these negative judgements could be partially understood as a form of scapegoating (ie, blaming group unfairly an undesirable outcome) political ideology (previously shown to shape risk perceptions in USA) moderates unvaccinated. We grounded our analyses literature perception during C19. obtained support speculations through two vignette-based studies conducted USA early 2022. varied profiles (age, prior infection, comorbidities) vaccination statuses vignette characters (eg, vaccinated, vaccinated without recent boosters, unvaccinated, unvaccinated-recovered), while keeping all other information constant. observed that hold (vs vaccinated) more responsible pandemic outcomes moderated effects: liberals conservatives) were likely scapegoat vaccinated), even when presented with challenging culpability known at time data collection natural immunity, availability vaccines, since last vaccination). These findings explanation specific group-based emerged encourage medical ethicists examine consequences significant overestimation among public. The public needs accurate about health issues. That may involve combating misinformation overestimates underestimates disease similar vigilance error.

Язык: Английский

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Framing, emotions, and morality: Understanding media influence on moral attitudes towards the unvaccinated during COVID-19

The Social Science Journal, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown, С. 1 - 16

Опубликована: Янв. 2, 2025

During the COVID-19 pandemic, non-compliance with health measures became a moralized issue. This study examines how news framing influences moral attitudes towards unvaccinated and mediating role of emotional reactions. Using an experiment (N = 456), we evaluated effects episodic thematic on responses to individuals. Compared control group, frame significantly reduced anger disgust, increased sympathy, strength unvaccinated. Thematic had no significant effect compared group. Mediation analysis confirmed that changes in were driven by shifts These findings highlight powerful shaping public opinion during crises.

Язык: Английский

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Divided by morality? Moral foundations of affective polarisation during hard times

Politics, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Фев. 13, 2025

In this article, we examine the deeper causes of a key group conflict during COVID-19 pandemic: attitudes towards vaccination. Extending research on affective polarisation beyond partisanship, analyse how people perceive external groups vaccination supporters and opponents. Furthermore, investigate their own moral foundations influence these perceptions. Using six samples from European countries, our analyses reveal an divide between opponents vaccinations. Most interestingly contrary to conventional expectations, find that individualising rather than binding intensify pro- anti-vaccination in all countries. It seems especially times pandemic threat, alike feel core foundations, particular, fairness are being challenged by respective out-groups. Our findings could be used develop depolarisation interventions involving framing.

Язык: Английский

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A Global Index to Quantify Discrimination Resulting from COVID-19 Pandemic Response Policies

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 22(4), С. 467 - 467

Опубликована: Март 21, 2025

Immediately following the emergency use authorizations of COVID-19 vaccines, governments around world made these products available to their populations and later started implementing differential rules for vaccinated unvaccinated citizens regarding mobility access venues services. The Oxford Government Response Tracker (OxCGRT) is a time series database that reflects extent public health measures in each country. On basis OxCGRT Containment Health Index, we calculated corresponding discrimination index by subtracting daily values individuals. resulting metric provides cursory quantification experienced individuals throughout 2021 2022. Patterns data show high degree with great numeric temporal differences between jurisdictions. Around 90% countries Europe North South America discriminated against at some point during pandemic. least amount was found Central Africa. In order move towards sustainable post-pandemic recovery prevent discriminatory policies future, recommend human rights protections be expanded prohibition extended beyond limited list grounds.

Язык: Английский

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