Issues, Groups, or Idiots? Comparing Theories of Partisan Stereotypes.

This article investigates the content of partisan stereotypes in the United States, comparing three theories that attribute these stereotypes primarily to constituent social groups, issue positions and ideological labels, or individual traits associated with partisans. Using a nationally representative 2,909-person survey and a conjoint experiment that simultaneously measures the importance of multiple attributes, the study finds that issue positions and ideological labels are the central elements of partisan stereotypes, outweighing the influence of social groups or traits. Additionally, individuals who hold issue- or ideology-based stereotypes exhibit higher levels of affective, ideological, and perceived polarization than those whose stereotypes focus on groups or traits. These findings suggest that Americans are more likely to picture partisans in terms of their policy stances and ideological identities rather than demographic or personality characteristics, with implications for understanding partisan identity and polarization.