Political polarization is a significant challenge in contemporary societies, affecting political discourse, social cohesion, and even personal relationships. A key aspect of polarization is the increasing appeal of extreme political views, which influence public opinion and voting behavior. 

Building on research published in Nature Human Behavior, Science Advances, and PNAS Nexus, this multi-country study examines the psychological and social factors that drive individuals toward political extremes. These previous findings suggest that political segregation is driven by political acrophily—the tendency to prefer ingroup members with more extreme views, often perceived as more prototypical and representative of group identity. This tendency is particularly pronounced on social media, where it is linked to increased outgroup animosity, further intensifying polarization.

This project investigates the attraction to extremes across different countries, focusing on whether such attraction is associated with affective polarization, and if it is more pronounced in countries with higher inequality. Funded by the Templeton World Charity Foundation, this study aims to include multiple countries, encompassing diverse political, social, and economic contexts to identify universal psychological mechanisms and context-specific socio-political factors contributing to polarization. 

This project is supported by: