The V-Shaped Perception Gap: The stronger people’s political commitments, the less accurate their understanding of what the other side thinks. The politically disengaged have the most accurate picture of their fellow citizens’ views.
Steve Stewart-Williamssubstack.comSteve Stewart-Williams (@stevestewartwilliams)
The phenomenon is known as false polarization : polarization based not on genuine differences in the modal views of each side but on misperceived differences. According to Parker and colleagues, false polarization is amplified by partisan media, and has various harmful knock-on effects - effects potentially damaging to the democratic process.
Steve Stewart-Williams • Imaginary Enemies
The implication of these studies is that this so-called “selective exposure bias” may be pushing us into more polarised positions.
This cognitive bias can push people into more extreme ideological positions | BPS
Whatever the reason, though, people’s reluctance to tackle the extreme views on their own side is another factor locking both sides into a false perception of the other. If, for instance, extremists on the left call for the complete abolition of the police, and no one on their side criticizes this position, conservatives may get the impression that... See more