Thursday, December 17, 2020

New research shows how economic inequality can provoke polarization — and ensnare an entire population — Eric W. Dolan


The model has limitations, of course, but it's an interesting study about in-group and out-group behavior under different economic conditions. As might be expected, adversity results in retrenchment as defense. 

Since this is a cultural phenomenon and the social, political and economic are linked in a culture, economic conditions have social and political effects, including increased polarization in times of economic adversity or inequality.

Socially, a consequence is polarization in the sense of increasing both loyalty to the in-group and also opposition and hostility to the out-group. 

PsyPost
New research shows how economic inequality can provoke polarization — and ensnare an entire population
Eric W. Dolan

3 comments:

Peter Pan said...

Polarization is a necessary adjustment to adversity; hardly what one would call sub-optimal.

Comfortable middle class people retreating into increasingly righteous echo chambers, is sub-optimal.

Andrew Anderson said...

I think you mean "self-righteous" echo chambers, Peter.

Matt Franko said...

They don’t make adjustments they synthesize theoretical positions...

Your “echo chamber” is their dialog going back and forth...

This is how they’ve been trained to conduct themselves.... it doesn’t work...