Unipolar opinion convergence dominates deliberation studies more often than bipolar divergence
Evidence
Within idea-based polarization (53 articles), two main forms are to be disentangled: unipolar convergence and bipolar divergence. The former, i.e., the process of attitudes converging toward one specific extreme (usually the one consistent with the groups pre-deliberation opinions), is observed in 27 articles (50.9%). The latter, which observes the creation of two (or more) poles within the group, figures centrally in 19 studies (32.1%). — Didier Caluwaerts et al., Deliberation and Polarization, 88
Categorization
- ADDENDUM: Relevant to the reader’s search for depolarization-by-deliberation findings: most ‘depolarization’ effects found are actually unipolar convergence, not true polar splitting.
- XREF: connects to: Latent public opinion rarely diverges from expressed collective policy preferences — Martin Gilens and Benjamin I. Page, Testing Theories of American Politics:…, 22; Deliberation reduces polarization mainly in political science studies — Didier Caluwaerts et al., Deliberation and Polarization: A…, 108; Deliberation reduces affective polarization but often increases idea-based polarization. — Didier Caluwaerts et al., Deliberation and Polarization: A…, 107 (+3 more)
Broader Connections
- Facilitated deliberation depolarizes participants while unfacilitated deliberation polarizes them.
#qualifies(0.80) — Didier Caluwaerts et al., Deliberation and Polarization, 121 - Shared information dominates group discussions, amplifying consensus stereotypes
#expands(0.80) — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 2368 - Deliberation reduces affective polarization but often increases idea-based polarization.
#qualifies(0.78) — Didier Caluwaerts et al., Deliberation and Polarization, 107 - Deliberation reduces polarization mainly in political science studies
#complicates(0.72) — Didier Caluwaerts et al., Deliberation and Polarization, 108 - Communicating scientific consensus reduces climate polarization across the spectrum
#complicates(0.72) — Sander van der Linden, Foolproof, 142