The dual nature of American partisan affect: Examining the impact of inparty affinity and outparty animosity on unique forms of political behavior

Much recent work has focused on Americans’ positive and negative feelings toward their own opposing political parties. However, there is neither a consensus how to model such partisan affect, nor detailed understanding of its consequences for participation. This addressed these two gaps by first, empirically examining many dimensions best characterize American affect. Study 1A used contemporary, categorical approaches factor analyses across an extensive set affect items from the Pew Trends Panel test competing hypotheses: that (1A-1) one-dimensional, or (1A-2) two-dimensional. Results suggested support Hypothesis 1A-2; covered inparty affinity outparty animosity. Second, 1B investigated predictive validity different aspects in terms discrete forms had three hypotheses implied prior literature: (1B-1) animosity (but not affinity) would predict most behavior, (1B-2) higher-cost lower-cost (1B-3) combination/interaction behavior. logistic regressions partial 1B-1 direct 1B-2. Outparty predicted more medium-cost participation, whereas Implications are discussed theory, measurement prediction