Although disagreement is a natural component of human interaction, polarization significantly increases the risk for interpersonal conflict, hostility, and in some cases, violence (Esteban & Schneider, 2008; Smith et al., 2024). I've recently seen this dynamic play out several times this year in a large women's group I belong to, in one instance resulting in the police being called for something that normally would have just been worked out amongst themselves. In the majority of instances, their actions were described as "uncharacteristic" by those who know them well, which begs the question, why? The answer lies in an understanding of the psychology behind polarization and its role in conflict escalation.

Polarization is a complex psychological phenomenon that can have individual, social, and political underpinnings. From a political perspective, polarization is when a society divides into opposing groups based on identification with a specific party or belief (e.g., Democrat versus Republican; climate change believer versus climate change denier). Group polarization is when individuals with shared views form into groups in support of a unified belief or cause. Polarization tends to start with some form of discontent, then becomes fueled by group dynamics (often heightened by social media), which can sometimes lead to extreme positions........

© Psychology Today