<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Polarization is generally considered as something undesirable that needs to be resolved. To reduce polarization, it is important to understand what processes cause it. Brandsma (2016) developed a framework that helps to understand the process of polarization. The framework also intends to formulate a communication strategy to address a polarized situation. The current study investigates how social media data as derived from a specific polarized case relates to Brandsma’s framework. Using Twitter data, we investigated the case of Black Pete in The Netherlands. Results provided support for the Brandsma framework. At the same time, this study provided additional, more nuanced insights into the subtle communicative aspect of polarization. Results showed that polarization is a process of change in which identity (“us” vs. “them”) as well as the issue itself (proponents vs. opponents) play an important role. By using these insights, the negative effects of polarization may be addressed differently. The key to reducing polarization lies in the ability to change while maintaining or developing the identity of groups that oppose each other.</p>
</abstract>

Polarization is generally considered as something undesirable that needs to be resolved. To reduce polarization, it is important to understand what processes cause it. Brandsma (2016) developed a framework that helps to understand the process of polarization. The framework also intends to formulate a communication strategy to address a polarized situation. The current study investigates how social media data as derived from a specific polarized case relates to Brandsma’s framework. Using Twitter data, we investigated the case of Black Pete in The Netherlands. Results provided support for the Brandsma framework. At the same time, this study provided additional, more nuanced insights into the subtle communicative aspect of polarization. Results showed that polarization is a process of change in which identity (“us” vs. “them”) as well as the issue itself (proponents vs. opponents) play an important role. By using these insights, the negative effects of polarization may be addressed differently. The key to reducing polarization lies in the ability to change while maintaining or developing the identity of groups that oppose each other.

Understanding polarization: A case study of Black Pete in the Netherlands

Psychology of Language and Communication

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

{"article-title":"Understanding polarization: A case study of Black Pete in the Netherlands"}

Polarization is generally considered as something undesirable that needs to be resolved. To reduce polarization, it is important to understand what processes...

Understanding polarization: A case study of Black Pete in the Netherlands

Published Online: Oct 21, 2022

Page range: 399 - 414

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/plc-2022-19

Keywords
social media, polarization, network analysis

© 2022 Lidwien van de Wijngaert, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Understanding polarization: A case study of Black Pete in the Netherlands

Published Online: Oct 21, 2022

Page range: 399 - 414

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/plc-2022-19

Keywordssocial media, polarization, network analysis

© 2022 Lidwien van de Wijngaert, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
social media, polarization, network analysis