Affective Polarization and Social Media: Theories, Models, and Contemporary Dynamics

Abstract

This article examines the phenomenon of affective polarization in the contemporary context, emphasizing the role of social media in its configuration and expansion. Through a theoretical and empirical review, affective polarization is distinguished from ideological polarization, highlighting its roots in social identity theory (Tajfel & Turner, 1979) and its intensification through dynamics such as partisan sorting and the formation of mega-identities (Mason, 2018). The study explores how digital platforms—through echo chambers, filter bubbles, and personalization algorithms—reinforce selective exposure, foster emotional radicalization, and intensify out-group hostility. Models such as opinion dynamics (Törnberg, 2022) and concepts like motivated reasoning (Taber & Lodge, 2006) help explain the deepening of social fragmentation. The democratic consequences of this phenomenon are also addressed, including the weakening of civic debate, political radicalization, and democratic backsliding. Finally, the article underscores the need for future research and political interventions that promote digital literacy, regulate platform algorithms, and foster unifying communication strategies, with the goal of strengthening democratic cohesion and addressing the challenges posed by the intensification of affective polarization in the digital age.