The bubble and its hostility: The influence of social media use on affective polarization in the Netherlands
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2022-05-19
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en
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This thesis investigates the question on how social media use relates to affective polarization in the Netherlands. Worries in Dutch society exist regarding the influence of social media on turmoil in society. It is theorized that social media is positively related to this turmoil (affective polarization). By using a new measurement of affective polarization, more insight is gained on whether and how social media use fuels affective polarization. Moreover, this thesis researches whether or not this relation can be explained by both self-selected and pre-selected exposure. Additionally, it is researched to what extent using social media as a primary news source, political ideology and differences in platforms (Facebook, Instagram and YouTube) influence the relation between social media use and affective polarization. It is found that the use of social media is negatively related to affective polarization, contrary to the initial expectation. This effect can be partially explained by both self- and pre-selected exposure. However, no effects were found regarding using social media as a primary news source and political ideology. Additionally no differences between platforms were found. These findings give reason to further research the nature of the relation, especially when it comes to the frequency of social media use.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen