Exploring the Paradox of Cross-Cutting Exposure and Affective Polarization: A Curvilinear Model Influenced by Political Ideology Strength

Previous research provides mixed results on how exposure to counter-attitudinal information (i.e. cross-cutting exposure) affects political polarization. Our study examines two theoretical models (i.e. linear and curvilinear) in the relationship between cross-cutting exposure and affective polarization. Using two waves of national panel data conducted in South Korea, the findings suggest that cross-cutting exposure affects partisans’ affective polarization in a curvilinear pattern. Low frequency of cross-cutting exposure reduces affective polarization, and when a threshold is reached, depolarization is diminished or even backfires. Thus, moderate frequency of cross-cutting exposure predicts the lowest point of affective polarization rather than higher cross-cutting exposure. Furthermore, strength of political ideology moderates this curvilinear relationship. For those with strong political ideology, extreme cross-cutting exposure is more likely to lead to backfire and increase affective polarization. However, for those with weak political ideology, cross-cutting exposure consistently reduces affective polarization. Implications of the findings are discussed.