False polarization: Cognitive mechanisms and potential solutions

Although political polarization in the United States is real, intense, and increasing, partisans consistently overestimate its magnitude. This ‘false polarization’ is insidious because it reinforces actual polarization and inhibits compromise. We review empirical research on false polarization and t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inCurrent opinion in psychology Vol. 43; pp. 1 - 6
Main Authors Fernbach, Philip M., Van Boven, Leaf
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2022
Subjects
Biases
Cognition
Emotions
False Polarization
Humans
Meta-Perceptions
Political Psychology
Politics
United States
United States
Meta-Perceptions
Biases
Cognition
False Polarization
Political Psychology
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Summary:Although political polarization in the United States is real, intense, and increasing, partisans consistently overestimate its magnitude. This ‘false polarization’ is insidious because it reinforces actual polarization and inhibits compromise. We review empirical research on false polarization and the related phenomenon of negative meta-perceptions, and we propose three cognitive and affective processes that likely contribute to these phenomena: categorical thinking, oversimplification, and emotional amplification. Finally, we review several interventions that have shown promise in mitigating these biases.
ISSN:2352-250X
2352-2518
2352-250X
DOI:10.1016/j.copsyc.2021.06.005