“Be Nice or Leave Me Alone”: An Intergroup Perspective on Affective Polarization in Online Political Discussions

Affective polarization—growing animosity and hostility between political rivals—has become increasingly characteristic of Western politics. While this phenomenon is well-documented through surveys, few studies investigate whether how it manifests in the digital context, what mechanisms underpin it. Drawing on social identity intergroup theories, study employs computational methods to explore extent discussions Reddit’s r/politics are affectively polarized, communicative factors shape these affective biases. Results show that interactions ideologically opposed users were significantly more negative than like-minded ones. These also likely be cut short sustained if one user referred negatively other’s in-group. Conversely, crosscutting which expressed positive sentiment toward out-group attract a response, thus mitigating bias. Implications for online communication dynamics discussed.