Love, Loathing or Both: Disentangling Affective Polarization and Group Affects

In this paper, we examine the current scholarly understanding and measurement of affective polarization, which is commonly operationalized as the difference between ingroup and outgroup affect. We demonstrate, both conceptually and empirically, that these affective orientations are distinct concepts. Combining the two into a single measure of polarization conceals crucial differences in the relationship between ingroup and outgroup affect, affective polarization, and purported consequences of the latter. We highlight this by replicating two studies on correlates of affective polarization and adding group affects, showing that results are driven by very different configurations of the three aspects depending on the research matter. Using machine-assisted and manual literature review across 179 published articles on affective polarization, we also demonstrate that the term `affective polarization' is used inconsistently at the conceptual level. We express the need for more precise theory, terminology, and methodology in affective polarization research and formulate concrete recommendations for future research.