Political stereotypes and affective polarization

This chapter explores the complex relationship between political stereotypes – beliefs about the characteristics of politically defined groups – and affective polarization, emphasizing their potential to reinforce each other. The chapter examines the mechanisms through which stereotypes foster affective polarization, including the ‘spill-over’ of negative affect between political groups and their associated attributes, and increased ‘entitativity’, asoutgroups are perceived as more homogeneous and distinct. It also explores how affective polarization can solidify and intensify stereotypes through cognitive biases like outgroup differentiation and motivated reasoning. The chapter reviews existing literature, identifies gaps, and proposes avenues for future research. It also considers the potential for interventions targeting stereotypes as a means of reducing affective polarization.