Ideological polarization: identification with parliamentary discourses and psychological factors
Year: 2022
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: The phenomenon of ideological polarization has gained increasing prominence in Psychology research, due to its growing presence in established democracies and the associated negative consequences. However, there is still no consensus on how to measure polarization, nor on the individual factors that are related to the adoption of polarized positions. One of the main objectives of this study was to develop a measure of ideological polarization for the Portuguese population and explore its relationship with psychological and sociodemographic factors. A sample of 212 participants completed an identification measure with polarized parliamentary discourses and a set of selfreport questionnaires that assessed the fusion of identity to the country, the capacity for empathy and emotional regulation, tolerance for ambiguity and the degree of dogmatism and aggression. From a general perspective, the results revealed the absence of ideological polarization and a greater identification with the ideological position of the Left. Participants who showed greater identification with the discourse of the Right evidenced greater identity fusion with the country, greater dogmatism, and less tendency to ruminate and to be verbally aggressive. Participants who revealed greater identification with the discourse of the Left showed less identity fusion with the country, less dogmatism, greater capacity for empathy, greater tendency to ruminate, greater tolerance for ambiguity, and greater propensity for verbal aggression. Additionally, there were significant differences between ideological positioning, level of education and region of residence. Although exploratory, this study allowed to corroborate existing literature on the relationships between sociodemographic, psychological factors, and ideological positioning. Innovative and interesting results were also found on the relationship between greater identification with the Left, and identity fusion with the country, and verbal aggression.
Author: Afonso, Beatriz Trindade
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7038675777