Replication data for: Fear and Loathing Across Party Lines: New Evidence on Group Polarization

When defined in terms of social identity and affect toward co-partisans and opposing partisans, the polarization of the American electorate has dramatically increased. We document the scope and consequences of affective polarization of partisans using implicit, explicit and behavioral indicators. Our evidence demonstrates that hostile feelings for the opposing party are ingrained or automatic in voters' minds, and that affective polarization based on party is just as strong as polarization based on race. We further show that party cues exert powerful effects on non-political judgments and behaviors. Partisans discriminate against opposing partisans, and do so to a degree that exceeds discrimination based on race. We note that the willingness of partisans to display open animus for opposing partisans can be attributed to the absence of norms governing the expression of negative sentiment and that increased partisan affect provides an incentive for elites to engage in confrontation rather than cooperation.

若以社会身份以及对同党选民与对立党选民的情感倾向为定义维度，美国选民群体的极化程度已大幅加剧。本研究通过内隐、外显与行为三类指标，系统刻画了党派群体情感极化(affective polarization)的影响范围与实际后果。研究证据表明，选民心中对对立党派的敌意已然根深蒂固，或是成为一种本能反应；基于党派的情感极化程度，与基于种族的极化程度不相上下。本研究进一步证实，党派线索会对非政治性判断与行为产生极强影响。党派支持者会对对立党派群体施以歧视，且这种歧视的程度甚至超过基于种族的歧视。本研究同时指出，党派支持者敢于公开表露对对立党派的敌意，可归因于当前缺乏约束负面情绪表达的社会规范；而愈发强烈的党派情感，则会激励政治精英采取对抗而非合作的姿态。