Investigating the Effects of Empathy and News Readership on Affective Polarization

Steven Zhang

Political scientists have hypothesized that empathy can be a key tool towards reducing affective polarization by encouraging cross-party understanding, but studies have shown that empathy can intensify both positive or negative emotions towards political out-groups. I propose that diversity of news readership nuances the power of empathy to reduce overall affective polarization. However, my regression suggests that the interaction between empathy and news readership actually increases affective polarization.

Major: 
B.A. Political Science
Exhibition Category: 
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Exhibition Format: 
Poster Presentation
Campus: 
University Park
Faculty Sponsor: 
Peter Hatemi
Poster Number: 
16806