Positive Partisanship: Partisans are Primarily Motivated by In-party Favoritism

• In Event: Political Polarization

Abstract

To what extent is partisan bias an expression of in-group favoritism or out-group animosity, or a combination of both? Some believe that out-group animosity, or negative partisanship, drives today’s political discord; others believe that partisan prejudice is caused by in-group favoritism. In this study, we use an economic game paradigm, called the intergroup prisoners' dilemma-maximizing difference, to systematically differentiate between in-group favoritism and out-group animosity. We further distinguish between active and passive forms of out-group animosity, a desire to intentionally harm the out-group versus a desire to avoid helping the out-group. We find that partisan bias is more associated with behavior that benefits co-partisans rather than purposely hurting opposing partisans. Although partisans are not willing to actively cause harm to opposing partisans, we find evidence of more passive forms of animosity toward the out-party, especially among those who strongly identify with their preferred party.

Authors

• Hye-Yon Lee, University of Pennsylvania

• Yphtach Lelkes, University of Pennsylvania