PsyPost reports:

Usually, political tensions in the United States intensify as elections approach but return to pre-election levels once the elections pass. However, a new analysis of tens of thousands of interviews revealed that this did not happen after the 2022 elections. Individuals with more exposure to the campaign tended to be more polarized, and this sentiment endured after the elections. This trend held true for partisans on both sides of the political spectrum. The study, published in Science Advances, highlights the persistence of polarization in current American politics.

For over a century, scholars have believed that elections based on the universal right to vote help facilitate collective decision-making and strengthen social cohesion. However, in the short term, elections tend to be polarizing events. Political parties compete for votes, which often leads to periods of intense animosity between them.

Elections can strengthen partisan identity, emphasizing political affiliation over other identities, such as national, professional, or familial ones. This can contribute to increased political polarization. In the past, research suggested that after elections, there is usually a cooling-off period, during which tensions between political opponents return to pre-election levels.

One explanation for the rise in polarization during the pre-election period is the negative tone of modern campaigns. Politicians frequently highlight policy disagreements and social divisions during this time, often portraying their opponents in a negative light. Another possible explanation is that repeated exposure to campaign messages and events solidifies voters’ party loyalties, hardening their partisan identities. [Continue reading…]