Psychology of Political Polarization

<p><em>The Psychology of Political Polarization</em> was inspired by the notion that to understand the momentum of radical political movements it is important to understand the attitudes of individual citizens who support such movements. </p><p>Leading political psychologists have contributed to this important book in which they share their latest ideas about political polarization – a complex phenomenon that cannot be traced back to a single cause and that is associated with intolerance overconfidence and irrational beliefs. The book explores the basis of political polarization as being how citizens think and feel about people with a different worldview how they perceive minority groups and how much they trust leaders and experts on pressing societal issues such as climate change health international relations and poverty. The chapters are organized into two sections that examine what psychological processes and what social factors contribute to polarization among regular citizens. The book also describes practical strategies and interventions to depolarize people. </p><p>The book offers a state-of-the-art introduction to the psychology of political polarization which will appeal to the academic market and political professionals. </p>