Individuals' feelings toward members of their own political party become more positive, while toward opposing parties more negative describes what?

• A. Affective Polarization
• B. Cognitive Dissonance
• C. Group Polarization
• D. Policy Polarization

Answer: (A)

Affective polarization is the idea that people increasingly feel positive about those who share their political party and negative toward those in opposing parties. This emphasis on emotional reactions to in-group versus out-group members reflects how party identity shapes attitudes and fosters intergroup hostility, beyond what people think about policies or their own beliefs.

Cognitive dissonance focuses on the discomfort from holding conflicting beliefs or behaviors, not on feelings toward groups. Group polarization describes groups adopting more extreme positions after discussion, not emotions toward other parties. Policy polarization refers to divergence in policy beliefs, not emotional judgments about party members.