polarization
Definition
Polarization refers to the widening gap in intergroup emotions and political identity, wherein individuals increasingly lean on their ingroup political identity while feeling colder towards the political opposition. During periods of democratic backsliding, polarization intensifies as individuals must decide whether to support or oppose government actions that may erode democratic norms, creating asymmetric psychological consequences whereby alignment with government actions may provide short-term psychological comfort while opposition carries psychological costs.
Sources: Wu et al. (2026)
Related Terms
Applications
Polarization and Well-being
Political polarization is associated with distinct psychological consequences during periods of democratic backsliding. Support for or opposition to government actions during such periods carries different well-being outcomes, with support for administration actions correlated with higher well-being and support for oppositional actions correlated with lower well-being.
Sources: Wu et al. (2026)
Polarization and Political Affiliation
Polarization manifests through partisan differences in how individuals respond to government actions during periods of democratic backsliding. Partisan affiliation shapes the relationship between support for government actions and well-being outcomes.
Sources: Wu et al. (2026)
