Date of Conferral
6-10-2025
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Psychology
Advisor
Hedy Dexter
Abstract
Affective polarization, a phenomenon characterized by animosity between opposing political parties, has emerged as a growing and intractable problem in the United States. Affective polarization threatens American democracy, as polarized citizens become increasingly unwilling to trust cross-partisans, hold their political leaders accountable, or support the results of free and fair elections. While prior research has investigated the mitigating effect of intellectual humility and perspective-taking on affective polarization, researchers have yet to investigate whether intellectual humility and perspective-taking work synergistically to mitigate affective polarization. Informed by social identity theory, this quantitative study determined if intellectual humility mediated the relationship between perspective-taking and affective polarization among English-speaking U.S. citizens aged 18 years and older. Using a cross-sectional correlation design, data were collected via SurveyMonkey from 167 participants. Contrary to predictions, a mediation analysis found that the mediated effect of perspective-taking on affective polarization via intellectual humility was significant and positive, leading to greater polarization. The results can contribute to positive social change by revealing that intellectual humility may not lessen polarization if outparty members are viewed as intellectually arrogant, an insight that clarifies the benefits and drawbacks of intellectual humility.
Recommended Citation
Smith, Daniel, "The Mediating Role of Intellectual Humility on the Relationship Between Perspective-Taking and Affective Polarization" (2025). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 17957.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/17957
