Talking Past Each Other on Twitter: Thematic, Event, and Temporal Divergences in Polarized Partisan Expression on Immigration

• DOI: 10.1080/10584609.2023.2263400
• Publication Date: 2023-10-03T07:52:36Z
• Authors: Xiaoya Jiang; Yini Zhang; Jisoo Kim; Jon Pevehouse; Dhavan Shah
• Keywords: Expression (computer science); Temporality; Thematic Analysis

ABSTRACTExtending literature on political polarization and expression, we study patterns of polarized expression by vocal partisans from opposing camps social media. Specifically, argue that partisan can be characterized three divergences: 1) different thematic emphases the same issue; 2) response to real-world events 3) a temporal disconnect at aggregate level. Highlighting how online groups is animated discrete concerns exhibits temporality, divergences in not only reflect explain existing concepts but also speak epistemological chasm between groups. Our empirical analysis based Twitter discussion about issue immigration U.S. applies topic modeling time series analysis. Results demonstrate liberal conservative tweets exhibit emphases, are often spurred event features, remain largely temporally independent, though both Trump’s emotionally evocative draw simultaneous reaction sides. These findings suggest hold views issue, weave facts into exogenous factors. In short, they “talk past each other.” indicate splintered public sphere, concerning quality for deliberative democracy.KEYWORDS: Polarizationpartisanshippartisan expressionsocial mediaimmigration Disclosure StatementNo potential conflict interest was reported author(s).Data Availability StatementData available upon request.Open ScholarshipThis article has earned Center Open Science badge Materials. The materials openly accessible https://osf.io/3wqe4/Supplementary materialSupplemental data this accessed publisher’s website https://doi.org/10.1080/10584609.2023.2263400.Notes1. We use conservatives/liberals here because partisan-ideological sorting resulted alignment liberals with Democratic Party conservatives Republican Party; more generalizable global context.2. According agenda-setting research, an “whatever contention among relevant public” (Lang & Lang, 1991, p.281), definition adopt study. As discussed review, “thematic emphasis” refers interpretive lens resulting semantic coherence expression. such, issues what first-level research mainly concerned about, while equivalent frames or attributes second-level (Ceron, Curini Iacus, 2016).3. https://ballotpedia.org/Timeline_of_federal_policy_on_immigration,_2017-20204. For international sources, referred editions coverage.5. Due lack pro-immigration family separation refugee admissions, “Family Separation – allow” “Refugee Admissions variables were dropped analysis.Additional informationNotes contributorsXiaoya JiangXiaoya Jiang PhD candidate School Journalism Mass Communication, University Wisconsin-Madison. She studies opinion using computaional approaches.Yini ZhangYini Zhang (Ph.D. Wisconsin-Madison) assistant professor Department Communication Buffalo, State New York. media communication, computational methods.Jisoo KimJisoo Kim politicization relation communication environment.Jon PevehouseJon Pevehouse Vilas Distinguished Professor Political Science, Wisconsin Madison.Dhavan ShahDhavan V. Shah Louis A. Mary E. Maier-Bascom Wisconsin-Madison, where he Director Research (MCRC) Scientific Health Enhancement System Studies (CHESS).