Polarization and Cooperation: A Conjoint Experiment

• In Event: Causes of Polarization and Potential Paths to Transcend It

Abstract

This paper presents a conjoint experiment in Spain and United Kingdom that examines the effects of affective polarization on individuals' willingness to cooperate with an opponent partisan. In the experiment, participants were presented with a scenario in which they could either cooperate or not cooperate with individuals with different random characteristics, and a defined partisanship. Their choices were analyzed in relation to their level of affective polarization. The results of the experiment indicate that affective polarization can significantly decrease individuals' willingness to cooperate with an opponent partisan, even when doing so would be in their best interest. This finding adds to the growing body of research on the negative effects of affective polarization, and suggests that efforts to reduce affective polarization may be beneficial for fostering cooperation and collaboration in society.

Authors

• Ignacio Jurado, Carlos III University

• Sandra Leon, Univesity Carlos III, Madrid