Unraveling polarization: insights into individual and collective dynamics

Kati Kish Bar-On; Eugen Dimant; Yphtach Lelkes; David G Rand

doi:10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae426

Unraveling polarization: insights into individual and collective dynamics

PNAS Nexus. 2024 Oct 15;3(10):pgae426. doi: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae426. eCollection 2024 Oct.

Authors

Kati Kish Bar-On¹, Eugen Dimant², Yphtach Lelkes³, David G Rand⁴

Affiliations

¹ Science, Technology and Society Program, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02139-4307, USA.
² Center for Social Norms and Behavioral Dynamics, University of Pennsylvania, 3451 Walnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
³ Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania, 3451 Walnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
⁴ Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02139-4307, USA.

Abstract

Polarization poses a critical threat to the stability of nations around the world, as it impacts climate change, populism, democracy, and global health. This perspective examines the conceptual understanding, measurement challenges, and potential interventions for polarization. Our analysis highlights the distinction and interactions between the individual and collective levels of polarization, conceptually, methodologically, and in terms of interventions. We conclude by pointing out future directions for understanding polarization and highlighting the interrelations between polarization and other social phenomena.

Keywords: affective polarization; collective polarization; group behavior; individual polarization; interventions; measurement methods; social norms.