Divisive content¶
Divisive content refers to material that emphasizes in-group solidarity by expressing hostility, contempt, or contempt toward out-groups, particularly in political and ideological contexts. This includes content expressing out-group animosity, ideological contempt, and moral condemnation of opposing groups.
Characteristics¶
Divisive content typically combines several features:
- Out-group animosity — Explicit expression of dislike, distrust, or contempt toward members of opposing political or ideological groups
- In-group moral framing — Portrayal of one's own group as morally superior or correct while characterizing the other group as immoral, dangerous, or foolish
- Emotional valence — Anger, disgust, fear, or moral outrage directed at the out-group
- Polarizing framing — Black-and-white, us-versus-them framing that diminishes recognition of complexity or common ground
Amplification and prevalence¶
Divisive content receives disproportionate amplification through social media algorithms:
- Engagement, User Satisfaction, and the Amplification of Divisive Content on Social Media — Twitter's engagement-based algorithm amplifies content expressing out-group animosity (0.24 SD effect) compared to reverse-chronological baseline
- Brady Moral Emotion Diffusion — Moral-emotional content spreads faster within in-groups, a mechanism that amplifies divisive material
- Political polarization and ideological echo chambers — Algorithmic amplification of divisive content drives increases in affective polarization (dislike of opposing groups)
Societal effects¶
The amplification of divisive content contributes to:
- Affective polarization — Increased dislike and distrust of members of opposing groups
- Reduced cross-group dialogue — Decreased willingness to engage across political lines or consider opposing viewpoints
- Moral vilification — Internalization of dehumanizing framings of opposing groups
Related topics¶
- Political polarization and ideological echo chambers — The broader phenomenon of which divisive content is a driver
- Algorithmic amplification — The mechanisms by which divisive content receives outsized visibility
- Moral psychology and moral discourse — The psychological mechanisms underlying divisive framing and moral condemnation