Polarization can happen at multiple levels including intrapersonal (within the individual), interpersonal (between individuals), and transpersonal (between groups of individuals). Each level comes with its own unique set of problems.

Intrapersonal polarization occurs when an individual struggles with opposing views or perspectives. The resulting cognitive dissonance can manifest as black-or-white thinking, which is characteristic of a number of mental disorders including borderline personality disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, narcissism, depression, and anxiety. Psychologists view black-or-white thinking as a type of cognitive distortion that involves thinking in absolutes rather than in more nuanced terms.

Interpersonal polarization occurs when an individual perceives their own views as diametrically opposed to the views of another person. This can produce struggles in relationships resulting from feeling misunderstood, unsupported, or judged by the other person whose ideas or opinions are different from our own.

Transpersonal polarization results from a group being divided into mutually antagonistic camps. This may involve small or large groups. At a societal level, people can become polarized over political views (e.g., Democrats vs. Republicans), religious ideology (e.g., Christian vs. non-Christians), scientific interpretation (e.g., orthodox vs. heterodox views), or medical interventions (e.g., prov-vaxx vs. anti-vaxx).

Polarization can result in adverse consequences at each of these levels.

For an individual, black-or-white thinking leads to an incapacity to recognize the complexities, uncertainties, and fluidity of life. Also, the inability to find a middle ground can produce “catastrophic thinking” or “catastrophizing,” which is defined as “a cognitive distortion........

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