Social Psychology of Political Polarization

This volume explores the psychological perspectives on political ideology, polarization, and how to bridge partisan divides both within and outside social psychology. There are two core themes. First, there is a critical examination of current psychological models explaining the political polarization with a particular emphasis on the moral roots of political ideology. Second, there is an exploration of the potential means of reducing ideological conflict, while also addressing the possibility of ideological bias within psychology, and what, if anything, may be done about it.

The chapters offer cutting edge theory and research that reveal the psychological mechanisms of political attitudes and beliefs. The application of these insights to curbing political biases is relevant to all fields of academia, as well as to the general public.

The ideas in the book are likely to generate controversy and interest both within social psychology and beyond – and provide fresh and unique perspectives on how to solve unproductive political discourse which is widely considered to be one of the greatest ills in contemporary politics in the US and many other nations.

This book will be of interest to a wide range of disciplines of researcher and upper-level students in social psychology, political psychology, political science and related fields.

Piercarlo Valdesolo is Assistant Professor at Claremont McKenna College, California. Using methodology from social and cognitive psychology, his research focuses on how our emotional states -- such as compassion, awe, and gratitude -- affect our decisions and behaviors with regard to trust, cooperation, blame, and punishment.

Jesse Graham is Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Southern California Dornsife. His research is centered on morality and ethics, ideology, values, political psychology, implicit attitudes, religion, culture, and social justice.