Open AccessNARRATIVES IN AMERICA: THE CONNECTION BETWEEN AFFECTIVE POLARIZATION AND VICTIMHOOD IN THE 2020 US ELECTION
Author(s) -
Hoda Gharib,
Megan Boler
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
selected papers of internet research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2162-3317
DOI - 10.5210/spir.v2021i0.12169
Subject(s) - distrust , outgroup , ingroups and outgroups , narrative , politics , social psychology , blame , feeling , psychology , polarization (electrochemistry) , sociology , gender studies , political science , law , linguistics , philosophy , chemistry , psychotherapist
This study explores the emotions, beliefs, and deep stories about theself and other that are held by individuals on the political right and left in America inorder to understand the manifestation of affective polarization during divisive historicalmoments. It also documents expressions of victimhood, villainhood, and privilege todetermine how they intersect with narratives about the ingroup and outgroup. Horwitz (2018)argues that victimhood has become a desirable status in American politics and is thus a siteof contestation. Therefore, we ask: what beliefs and emotions do individuals hold about theingroup and outgroup and how do these contribute to exacerbating affective polarization? Weconducted a four-month digital ethnography before, during and after the 2020 US election anddeveloped an innovative approach to affective discourse analysis through an iterative,grounded study in order to analyse Facebook, Twitter, and Gab content. We coded 2500cross-partisan posts/comments that focused on the January 6 Capitol events and electionoutcome/fraud and were underscored by themes of race and partisanship. Individuals on thepolitical right and left expressed deep distrust towards the outgroup but thankfulness tothose speaking their own narrative. Findings also indicate that affective polarization hasdeeper roots in feelings of bitterness and resentment of the other. These are linked to theingroup’s narrative of victimhood/blame and serve to strengthen the boundaries of ingroupand outgroup identities as membership in the group becomes defined in part by therecognition (or lack thereof) of that group’s pain and oppression.