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Polarized

How opinions unite and divide us

Media
What’s Important?

Thomas J. Leeper PhD on June 4, 2013

Media, citizens, and politicians seem to disagree about what is important. Psychological tendencies to over-estimate the similarity of others to one’s self means that the public and politicians are quite poor at estimating what the public thinks, and as a result, what government should do.

Media, citizens, and politicians seem to disagree about what is important. Psychological tendencies to over-estimate the similarity of others to one’s self means that the public and politicians are quite poor at estimating what the public thinks, and as a result, what government should do.

Politics
Emotionally Polarized

Thomas J. Leeper PhD on April 9, 2013

Disagreement is the core of politics. If everyone agreed, we would have little societal need for campaigns, elections, or any other democratic institution. But the increasing divisiveness of politics is worrisome. Why do we seem to disagree so much and feel that disagreement so strongly? New research offers some answers.

Disagreement is the core of politics. If everyone agreed, we would have little societal need for campaigns, elections, or any other democratic institution. But the increasing divisiveness of politics is worrisome. Why do we seem to disagree so much and feel that disagreement so strongly? New research offers some answers.

Trust
Trusting Government to Kill, Despite Distrusting Government

Thomas J. Leeper PhD on February 19, 2013

The public holds views of government activity that largely appear incoherent. This is problematic if we expect democracy to function as a direct translation of public views into policy, but can work if elites can be trusted to act in a more coherent fashion than the public they represent. Unfortunately, we don't trust our government.

The public holds views of government activity that largely appear incoherent. This is problematic if we expect democracy to function as a direct translation of public views into policy, but can work if elites can be trusted to act in a more coherent fashion than the public they represent. Unfortunately, we don't trust our government.

Politics
When Our Partisan Attachments Let Politicians Fail

Thomas J. Leeper PhD on January 6, 2013

The fiscal cliff is a prime example of political leaders shirking their responsibilities – failing to debate and make enlightened policies – and taking advantage of our psychological predispositions toward partisan attachment for their own gain.

The fiscal cliff is a prime example of political leaders shirking their responsibilities – failing to debate and make enlightened policies – and taking advantage of our psychological predispositions toward partisan attachment for their own gain.

Law and Crime
Means, Motive, and Opportunity

Thomas J. Leeper PhD on December 15, 2012

If crime is a function of means, motive, and opportunity, then a comprehensive policy response—rather than narrowly targeted policies (gun control) with little public support—seems to be in order.

If crime is a function of means, motive, and opportunity, then a comprehensive policy response—rather than narrowly targeted policies (gun control) with little public support—seems to be in order.

Politics
Do We Really Want Political Compromise?

Thomas J. Leeper PhD on December 7, 2012

With the fiscal cliff debate looming large in Washington and on the national news agenda, there is increasing talk of the importance of political compromise. This call for putting aside differences and getting past polarization is, of course, nothing new. But is compromise what we really want?

With the fiscal cliff debate looming large in Washington and on the national news agenda, there is increasing talk of the importance of political compromise. This call for putting aside differences and getting past polarization is, of course, nothing new. But is compromise what we really want?

Politics
No Politics at the Dinner Table?

Thomas J. Leeper PhD on November 22, 2012

For those with politically compatible social networks, holiday dinner offers a great time for uncontroversial bashing of political opponents. For those who find themselves surrounded by relations with different views from their own, political discussion can be thoroughly unpleasant. Here are five pointers for surviving political disagreement at Thanksgiving dinner.

For those with politically compatible social networks, holiday dinner offers a great time for uncontroversial bashing of political opponents. For those who find themselves surrounded by relations with different views from their own, political discussion can be thoroughly unpleasant. Here are five pointers for surviving political disagreement at Thanksgiving dinner.

Rorschach Test
What Do We See in the Electoral Map?

Thomas J. Leeper PhD on November 9, 2012

Some psychoanalysts believe that Rorschach tests tell us about what is going on in our minds and what you see in two different maps of the 2012 election says a lot about how you perceive American polarization.

Some psychoanalysts believe that Rorschach tests tell us about what is going on in our minds and what you see in two different maps of the 2012 election says a lot about how you perceive American polarization.

Politics
Finding Common Ground in Divisive Times

Thomas J. Leeper PhD on November 6, 2012

We often think that the other side in a political debate is trying to destroy America, or at least offering a dangerous alternative to our own views of the political good. Why do we think these things and what can we do about it?

We often think that the other side in a political debate is trying to destroy America, or at least offering a dangerous alternative to our own views of the political good. Why do we think these things and what can we do about it?

Cognition
Thinking Fast and Slow in Crisis Politics

Thomas J. Leeper PhD on October 20, 2012

The attack on the American diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya has been the subject of considerable political conversation. Media coverage of the attack, and the ensuing response by the candidates, missed an interesting story about how people think about low-information incidents like the attack in Benghazi.

The attack on the American diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya has been the subject of considerable political conversation. Media coverage of the attack, and the ensuing response by the candidates, missed an interesting story about how people think about low-information incidents like the attack in Benghazi.

Politics
Public Opinion, Not Just an American Phenomenon

Thomas J. Leeper PhD on September 29, 2012

Recent protests across the world in response to an anti-Islamic internet video make clear that everyone around the world has opinions and those opinions matter – not just in their home country but everyone on earth. There is considerable worry about the polarized climate in contemporary American politics, but the polarization of global opinions is a far greater concern.

Recent protests across the world in response to an anti-Islamic internet video make clear that everyone around the world has opinions and those opinions matter – not just in their home country but everyone on earth. There is considerable worry about the polarized climate in contemporary American politics, but the polarization of global opinions is a far greater concern.

Law and Crime
The Ephemeral Impact of Violent Events

Thomas J. Leeper PhD on August 13, 2012

Why don’t violent events change public attitudes toward guns? Popular wisdom, of various kinds, suggests opinions should change. Research on the nature of opinions suggests otherwise.

Why don’t violent events change public attitudes toward guns? Popular wisdom, of various kinds, suggests opinions should change. Research on the nature of opinions suggests otherwise.

President Donald Trump
TSA Moderately Liked, Despite Everything

Thomas J. Leeper PhD on August 8, 2012

How could an agency subject to consistently negative publicity and that seems to be loathed by nearly everyone who travels possibly be viewed in a positive light by most Americans?

How could an agency subject to consistently negative publicity and that seems to be loathed by nearly everyone who travels possibly be viewed in a positive light by most Americans?

Trust
In Nothing We Trust

Thomas J. Leeper PhD on July 15, 2012

What has happened to Americans’ trust? While some might be quick to infer meaningful explanations for declining support in each of these institutions—that television has become too uncivilized or Congress to ineffective or public schools too expensive—such a summary is probably inadequate.

What has happened to Americans’ trust? While some might be quick to infer meaningful explanations for declining support in each of these institutions—that television has become too uncivilized or Congress to ineffective or public schools too expensive—such a summary is probably inadequate.

Politics
Wisconsin Means Little

Thomas J. Leeper PhD on June 6, 2012

The scientific consensus on the Wisconsin recall election is that it means little for national politics. But what, if anything, does it say about psychology?

The scientific consensus on the Wisconsin recall election is that it means little for national politics. But what, if anything, does it say about psychology?

Career
Parties Divided?

Thomas J. Leeper PhD on June 4, 2012

For polarization to occur, individuals have to develop more extreme views over the course of their lives or new generations have to hold more extreme and divided political viewpoints than earlier generations, or both.

For polarization to occur, individuals have to develop more extreme views over the course of their lives or new generations have to hold more extreme and divided political viewpoints than earlier generations, or both.

Motivation
Fallen Soldiers, Declining Support for War

Thomas J. Leeper PhD on May 25, 2012

Public support for the end goals of military conflict – often grand notions of peace, democracy, freedom, security, and so forth – must ultimately come to terms with the costs of war, found in dollars and, more importantly, in bodies.

Public support for the end goals of military conflict – often grand notions of peace, democracy, freedom, security, and so forth – must ultimately come to terms with the costs of war, found in dollars and, more importantly, in bodies.

Marriage
The Pretense of Polarization

Thomas J. Leeper PhD on May 10, 2012

So-called “social issues” are often seen as the bread and butter of political polarization: at any one time, large portions of the American electorate are supportive of them while similarly large portions are opposed. On same-sex marriage at least, polarization this is not.

So-called “social issues” are often seen as the bread and butter of political polarization: at any one time, large portions of the American electorate are supportive of them while similarly large portions are opposed. On same-sex marriage at least, polarization this is not.

Attention
Federalism Internalized?

Thomas J. Leeper PhD on May 2, 2012

A poll released this past week by the Pew Research Center finds that (1) there is a growing gap in public perceptions of federal, state, and local governments and (2) there are major partisan divides in these views. What should we make of these data?

A poll released this past week by the Pew Research Center finds that (1) there is a growing gap in public perceptions of federal, state, and local governments and (2) there are major partisan divides in these views. What should we make of these data?