Misperceived outgroup extremity drives real polarization through a self-fulfilling spiral.

Evidence

Those who start with high trust are clearly better off at the start, while those who start with distrust or low trust may be doomed to failure. — TOMASZ OLEJNICZAK, Development of Trust in Low-Trust…, 14 (#expands, via linked claim)

From the minorities section of the interviews come these assertions. “Jewish people are more obsequious.” “Since the Negro has that feeling that he isn’t up to par, he’s always trying to show off…. Even though he can’t afford it, he will buy an expensive car just to make a show.” “The Jew is always crying.” “They [Jews] suffer from every lust.” “They [Negroes] all carry knives; if you do something they don’t like, they will get even with you, they will slice you up.” “But they [Jews] are so clannish and aggressive and loud that sometimes I can’t stand them.” — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 547 (#responds-to, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Correcting misperceptions reduces partisan animosity across at least 26 countries. — Rachel Hartman et al., Interventions to Reduce Partisan…, 39; Public lamenting of polarization may itself deepen partisan animosity. — Rachel Hartman et al., Interventions to Reduce Partisan…, 73; Unprepared intergroup contact can backfire and worsen polarization. (+9 more)

Broader Connections

• Initial trust levels create self-reinforcing spirals of cooperation or distrust #expands (0.85) — TOMASZ OLEJNICZAK, Development of Trust in Low-Trust…, 14
• Unprepared intergroup contact can backfire and worsen polarization. #qualifies (0.82)
• Mere knowledge that ingroup peers befriend outgroup members improves intergroup attitudes #corroborates (0.80) — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 1816
• Projected outgroup traits mirror the very weaknesses subjects deny in themselves #responds-to (0.80) — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 547
• Ingroup-favoritism mechanisms can be redirected to reduce outgroup bias #responds-to (0.78) — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 571
• Even arbitrary group divisions trigger in-group bias and out-group derogation that harm cooperation #exemplifies (0.75)
• Most ingroup bias overvalues the ingroup rather than devaluing the outgroup #complicates (0.74) — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 555
• The brain’s amygdala vigilance toward outgroups relaxes when people are treated as individuals #complicates (0.72)