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Published at November 22

Social Media Algorithms Can Shape Affective Polarization via Exposure to Antidemocratic Attitudes and Partisan Animosity

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Released Date: November 22, 2024

Authors: Tiziano Piccardi¹, Martin Saveski², Chenyan Jia³, Jeffrey T. Hancock¹, Jeanne L. Tsai¹, Michael Bernstein¹

Aff.: ¹Stanford University; ²University Of Washington; ³Northeastern University

Arxiv: http://arxiv.org/abs/2411.14652v1

Variable	Definition
Partisan Animosity	Do the following messages express partisan animosity? Partisan animosity is defined as ”dislike for opposing partisans”.
Support for Undemocratic Practices	Do the following messages express support for undemocratic practices? Support for undemocratic practices is defined as ”willingness to forgo democratic principles for partisan gain”. Undemocratic practices are undemocratic tendencies or actions such as reducing polling stations in areas that support their opponents, attacking the independence of the judiciary, undermining the free press, challenging the legitimacy of election results, or encouraging political violence.
Support for Partisan Violence	Do the following messages express support for partisan violence? Support for partisan violence is defined as a ”willingness to use violent tactics against outpartisans”. Examples of partisan violence include sending threatening and intimidating messages to the opponent party, harassing the opponent party on the Internet, using violence in advancing their political goals or winning more races in the next election.
Support for Undemocratic Candidates	Do the following messages express support for undemocratic candidates? Support for undemocratic candidates is defined as ”willingness to ignore democratic practices to elect inparty candidates.” Undemocratic candidates often support undemocratic practices such as reducing polling stations in areas that support their opponents, attacking the independence of the judiciary, undermining the free press, challenging the legitimacy of election results, or encouraging political violence.
Opposition to Bipartisan Cooperation	Do the following messages express opposition to bipartisanship? Opposition to bipartisanship is defined as ”resistance to cross-partisan collaboration”.
Social Distrust	Do the following messages express social distrust? Social distrust is defined as ”distrust of people in general”.
Social Distance	Do the following messages express social distance? Social distance is defined as ”resistance to interpersonal contact with outpartisans”. Messages that increase social distance may contain terms that increase distrust, distance, insecurity, hate, prejudice, or discrimination.
Biased Evaluation of Politicized Facts	Do the following messages express a biased evaluation of politicized facts? Biased evaluation of politicized facts is defined as ”skepticism of facts that favor the worldview of the other party”. Messages supporting a biased evaluation of politicized facts may partially present political facts or discuss a controversial issue with a certain political stance.