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Perception Shapes Division
Research reveals a significant false polarization between Republicans and Democrats, where each group believes the other harbors greater animosity than actually exists. While both groups exhibit some dislike towards each other, the exaggerated perceptions lead to an inflated sense of conflict. Studies indicate that when individuals learn how similar they are to members of opposing parties, their openness and willingness to engage increases. This distortion is largely fueled by social media, which often amplifies the views of extreme individuals, resulting in a skewed representation of the entire group. The focus on extremists reinforces negative stereotypes and deepens divides, overshadowing moderate perspectives.