The polarizing effect of partisan echo chambers

Hobolt, Sara, Lawall, Katharina and Tilley, James (2023) The polarizing effect of partisan echo chambers. American Political Science Review. ISSN 1537-5943

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Abstract

We are witnessing increasing partisan polarization across the world. It is often argued that partisan echo chambers are one of the drivers of both policy and affective polarization. In this article, we develop and test the argument that the political homogeneity of people's social environment shapes polarization. Using an innovative, large-scale pre-registered lab-in-the-field experiment in the United Kingdom, we examine how polarization is influenced by partisan group homogeneity. We recruit nationally representative partisans and assign them to discuss a salient policy issue, either with like-minded partisans (an echo chamber) or in a mixed-partisan group. This allows us to examine how group composition affects polarization. In line with our expectations, we find that partisan echo chambers increase both policy and affective polarization compared to mixed discussion groups. This has important implications for our understanding of the drivers of polarization and for how out-group animosity might be ameliorated in the mass public.

Item Type:	Article
Official URL:	https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/american-p...
Additional Information:	© 2023 The Authors
Divisions:	Government
Subjects:	J Political Science > JC Political theory B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Date Deposited:	23 Oct 2023 10:18
Last Modified:	25 Apr 2024 07:51
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/120513

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