D'Amore, C., van Zomeren, M., & Koudenburg, N.
(2024). Journal of personality and social psychology,
126(4), 624–642.
Abstract
Within structurally polarized and dynamic contexts, such as the U.S. 2020 presidential elections, the moralization of individuals' attitudes on a specific topic (e.g., climate policy) can dangerously escalate disagreements between groups into zero-sum conflict. However, limited knowledge exists regarding the factors that influence individuals' tendency to moralize their attitudes over time, and what the role of structural polarization is in this psychological process. Our objective is to test a theoretically integrative model of when and how perceived polarization is related to attitude moralization over time within the polarized context of the U.S. 2020 presidential elections and explore reciprocal feedback loops to understand the dynamic relationship between polarization and moralization over time. Our model predicts that, when repeatedly faced with outgroup expressions in the news, individuals' perceptions of polarization will predict within-person attitude moralization over time via strengthening their value-protective responses to these expressions (i.e., perceiving dyadic harm and experiencing negative moral emotions toward the outgroup). To test our model, we conducted a four-wave, 4-month longitudinal study among Biden supporters (N = 1,236) and Trump supporters (N = 617). The results of the within-person analyses generally supported the model's hypotheses across both samples and various attitude topics. Furthermore, cross-lagged structural equation models explored reciprocal influences, revealing positive feedback loops between structural polarization and attitude moralization over time. Our findings thus indicate that perceived polarization strengthens attitude moralization (and vice versa) over time-a dynamic process that helps to explain how nonmoralized conflict between groups can evolve into zero-sum conflict during periods of intense polarization.
Here is my interpretation of the study:
This research on the U.S. 2020 election campaign explored how people strengthen their moral beliefs over time in a polarized environment. They found that as individuals perceive more polarization and political homogeneity in their networks, they are more likely to develop strong moral convictions, especially when they see harm from the opposing political group and feel negative emotions towards them.
The study showed that increased perceptions of polarization lead to stronger moralization of attitudes across various topics. This process is reinforced over time by a feedback loop where perceived polarization and moralization influence each other. These findings were consistent among both Biden and Trump supporters.
In summary, the study confirms that polarization plays a crucial role in shaping strong moral attitudes, driving political engagement and conflict. This research highlights the need to understand the social factors that turn political disagreements into moral conflicts and suggests areas for future exploration.
