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.
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/775627/images/7224473/LOGO_CBE_2020.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/775627/images/5941672/GROUP.png)
At first a group might be inclusive of people with differences in:
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/775627/images/5941672/GROUP.png)
Experiences - Identities - Viewpoints
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/775627/images/7224473/LOGO_CBE_2020.png)
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:
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/775627/images/5941701/GROUP.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/775627/images/5941708/THREE_PEOPLE.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/775627/images/5941708/THREE_PEOPLE.png)
PERCEIVED THREAT
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/775627/images/5941817/CIRCLE.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/775627/images/5941832/CIRCLE_2.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/775627/images/5941836/CIRCLE_2.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/775627/images/5941837/CIRCLE.png)
The experience of perceived danger
shapes Divisive Interactions such as:
Stereotyping
Blaming
Unawareness of the Increasing Damage
Self-Justified Attack of the Other
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/775627/images/5941708/THREE_PEOPLE.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/775627/images/5941708/THREE_PEOPLE.png)
PERCEIVED THREAT
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/775627/images/5941817/CIRCLE.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/775627/images/5941832/CIRCLE_2.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/775627/images/5941837/CIRCLE.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/775627/images/5941885/POINTY_FINGER.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/775627/images/5941887/POINTY_FINGER_02.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/775627/images/5941921/CIRCLE_THICK.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/775627/images/5941921/CIRCLE_THICK.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/775627/images/5941885/POINTY_FINGER.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/775627/images/5941887/POINTY_FINGER_02.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/775627/images/5941983/FIST.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/775627/images/5941991/FIST_02.png)
Both sides can Lose Hope and Energy
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/775627/images/5941708/THREE_PEOPLE.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/775627/images/5941708/THREE_PEOPLE.png)
DESPAIR
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/775627/images/5941817/CIRCLE.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/775627/images/5941921/CIRCLE_THICK.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/775627/images/5941921/CIRCLE_THICK.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/775627/images/5941983/FIST.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/775627/images/5941991/FIST_02.png)
to work towards overcoming separation.
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/775627/images/7224473/LOGO_CBE_2020.png)