POLITICAL PERCEPTION IN A (FALSELY) POLARIZED ERA : EXAMINING VALUE EXTREMITY, FALSE POLARIZATION, AND MODERATING FACTORS

This study examines the relationship between value polarization and false polarization usingdata from the 2016 American National Election Study (ANES). By defining false polarization as the difference between perceived and actual polarization in the political arena, the thesis categorizes it into two forms: exaggerated polarization and underestimated polarization. Analysis indicates that as individuals polarize their values, their false perceptions of polarization increase. Both exaggerated and underestimated polarization are affected by value polarization, just to different degrees. In addition, this study examines the interaction between common variables in polarization research and value polarization. Shedding light on the mechanisms linking values orientation and political behavior. In conclusion, this study provides insights for future research on the mechanism of false polarization and highlights the importance of perception to the study of polarization.