Polarization
'The Division Between'
By the Public Conversations Project
In psychology, POLARIZATION is described
as the process whereby a social group
divides into opposing sub-groups.
At first a group might be inclusive of people with differences in:
Experiences - Identities - Viewpoints
An emerging Disagreement in the group can be experienced as a Threat.
Highlighting one’s differences with the out-group
Minimizing one’s differences with the in-group
The Disagreement can cause Separation through dynamics such as:
PERCEIVED THREAT
The experience of perceived danger
shapes Divisive Interactions such as:
Stereotyping
Blaming
Unawareness of the Increasing Damage
Self-Justified Attack of the Other
PERCEIVED THREAT
Both sides can Lose Hope and Energy
DESPAIR
to work towards overcoming separation.