Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 7, 2026
06:42
Continuous Theta Burst Stimulation of the Posterior Medial Frontal Cortex to Experimentally Reduce Ideological Threat Responses
Published on: September 28, 2018
12.1K
Partisan Animosity as Blame: A Unifying and Generative Framework for Understanding and Transforming Affective
1University of California San Diego, USA.
Summary
Partisan animosity, or hostility toward political outgroups, is increasing globally. This study conceptualizes it as blame, offering a new framework to understand and reduce political hostility.
Area of Science:
- Political Psychology
- Moral Psychology
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Partisan animosity is rising globally, negatively impacting society and politics.
- Existing research lacks a clear conceptualization of partisan animosity.
- Understanding the psychological underpinnings is crucial for developing interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a novel framework conceptualizing partisan animosity as an attitude of blame.
- To develop a comprehensive model of the psychology of blame.
- To inform interventions aimed at reducing partisan animosity.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of moral psychology and partisan animosity.
- Development of a blame-based psychological model.
- Analysis of existing interventions through the lens of the blame model.
Main Results:
- Partisan animosity is conceptualized as blame directed toward political outgroups.
- A comprehensive model of the psychology of blame is presented.
- Existing interventions are understood through this blame framework.
Conclusions:
- The blame-based perspective offers a unifying framework for understanding partisan animosity.
- The model provides insights into the mechanisms driving political hostility.
- Novel intervention strategies can be developed based on this framework.
Related Concept Videos
01:01Group Polarization
38.3K
Group polarization is the strengthening of an original group attitude following the discussion of views within a group (Teger & Pruitt, 1967). That is, if a group initially favors a viewpoint, after discussion the group consensus is likely a stronger endorsement of the viewpoint. Conversely, if the group was initially opposed to a viewpoint, group discussion would likely lead to stronger opposition.
38.3K
01:31In- and Out-Groups
42.9K
People all belong to a gender, race, age, and social economic group. These groups provide a powerful source of our identity and self-esteem (Tajfel & Turner, 1979) and serve as our in-groups. An in-group is a group that we identify with or see ourselves as belonging to.
42.9K
03:26Framing Effects
7.8K
Information is everywhere and its presentation—such as how and when items are presented—can impact our perceptions and decisions surrounding the info. This broad concept umbrellas framing effects—influences that occur due to the way information is framed in its appearance, whether it’s purely the order or the specific wording of a message. Let’s take a look at numerous ways in which two versions of something can objectively say the same thing, yet we respond in...
7.8K
01:19Impact of Groups on Groups
218
Social psychologists analyze how groups influence one another, shaping social structures and interactions through both cooperation and competition. These dynamics manifest in various ways, ranging from economic partnerships to intergroup conflicts that shape societal structures and perceptions.Cooperation and Competition in Intergroup RelationsIntergroup relationships vary across contexts, sometimes fostering cooperation and mutual benefit while at other times leading to conflict and...
218
02:16Stereotype Content Model
15.3K
The Stereotype Content Model (SCM) was first proposed by Susan Fiske and her colleagues (Fiske, Cuddy, Glick & Xu, 2002; see also Fiske, 2012 and Fiske, 2017). The SCM specifies that when someone encounters a new group, they will stereotype them based on two metrics: warmth—or that group’s perceived intent, and how likely they are to provide help or inflict harm—and competence—or their ability to carry out that objective. Depending on the warmth-competence...
15.3K
01:29The Influence of Cognition on Affect
170
Cognition plays a pivotal role in shaping emotional experiences, as demonstrated by Schachter and Singer’s two-factor theory of emotion. According to this model, emotion arises from a combination of physiological arousal and cognitive interpretation. The body’s physiological response to stimuli is ambiguous and only gains emotional significance through cognitive labeling. For instance, an increased heart rate and adrenaline surge while standing near an attractive person may be...
170