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Polarization and Emotional Response to Threats: The Case of Covid-19

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: In this paper, we ask how polarization is related to innate responses to threats. Through an online survey, we study the relationship between polarization about Covid-19 mitigation measures and psychopathy, a condition characterized by a reduced emotional response to perceived threats. We find that polarization is significantly lower for individuals with high psychopathy traits. This suggests that polarization over emotionally-charged political issues may be related to a biological mechanism that operates in high-risk environments: the fight or flight response.

Source: Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal

DOI: 10.14738/assrj.1111.17852

Authors: Pedro Hemsley, Flavio Moraes, Lynda Pavão

Institutions: Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Escola Brasileira de Administração Pública e de Empresas, Fundação Getulio Vargas, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro

Language: English

Topic: Social and Intergroup Psychology

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4405764844

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