Affective polarization causes perceived polarization

What is it about?

Visceral emotional reactions to the out-group cause individuals to believe that out-group is further away from them in political space. The stronger the emotional reaction, the larger the perceived distance. Political sophistication exacerbates, rather than attenuates, this relationship.

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Why is it important?

The wounds of the culture war are unlikely to be healed with more information. Perceptual acuity cannot produce more harmony, as the misperception is caused by the disharmony in the first place.