Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

When Democrats and Republicans Share a Pew: Out-Party Exposure and Affective Polarization

Publication Date

2024

College

Sciences and Mathematics, College of

Department

Psychological Science, Department of

BURS Faculty Advisor

Dr. Adam Smiley

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Abstract

More contact with and proximity to out-partisans predicts lower affective polarization (Smiley & Kaiser, 2023). Might Democrats and Republicans sharing a church pew reduce polarization as well? Two studies using 2016 and 2020 ANES data explores the relationship between denomination-level political heterogeneity and affective polarization. Our analyses find that church attendance and exposure to out-partisans at church are linked to decreased affective polarization (controlling for religious and political beliefs), highlighting the importance of bipartisan contact.

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