"Polarize or Change” - When societal perceptions instigate (online) communication and group dynamics that catalyze polarization and social change

Description

Polarization and social change are often studied either at the societal macro-level or at the micro-level of individual psychology. This symposium aims to bridge these perspectives by zooming into the meso-level of online group and network dynamics, to show how communication between individuals and the formation of opinion-based groups instigate polarization and societal change. In five presentations we explain how macro-level phenomena (e.g., race riots, polarization) and our perceptions and thereof can influence our group dynamics and communications with others, but also how these meso-level dynamics can build up and aggregate to effect societal change. A specific focus is on online communications because of their unique ability to foster societal change and polarization.

Period	12 Apr 2021
Event type	Seminar
Degree of Recognition	International