Self-Polarization: Lionizing Those Who Agree and Demonizing Those Who Disagree

Abstract

Numerous recent texts have explained societal polarization, emphasizing biased input through increased accessibility of extreme partisan information. We examined instead the possible role of biased output through biased attribution of personality traits to issue partisans. Two experiments tested the hypothesis that attributing personality traits to those who agree versus disagree with an attributor on controversial social issues might lead attributors to adopt more polarized impressions and behavioral intentions toward issue partisans, as well as to adopt more polarized attitudes toward the issue itself. These hypotheses were supported with two different social issues—abortion and kneeling during the national anthem. The results were interpreted as consistent with previous theory and research on both attributional bias and self-generated attitude polarization.