Psychology
Political Polarization and the Impairment of Deliberative Capacity
Quick fact
Studies show that when people are exposed to political arguments from their own side, their brain activity resembles that of a threat response, making them less receptive to opposing viewpoints—a direct impairment of deliberation.
Why this is interesting
Imagine a crowd that grows louder and more hostile the more it talks together—what if talking to people who agree with you makes you less able to listen to those who don't?