Polarization in Social Media: An Emotion-Symbolic Work Perspective

Itziar Castelló (), David Barberá-Tomás () and Frank de Bakker
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Itziar Castelló: Bayes Business School, City St George’s, University of London
David Barberá-Tomás: INGENIO (CSIC-UPV), Universitat Politécnica de València

Chapter 14 in The Palgrave Handbook of Emotions and Values in Organizational Institutionalism, 2026, pp 375-396 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract This chapter examines the interconnection between emotions, values, and institutions in the growing polarization of public discourse, especially within social media environments. We argue that polarization, which involves the emotional manipulation of discourse and the construction of oppositional value identities, challenges managerial decision-making. Drawing on theories of emotions, values, and symbols, particularly Randall Collins’ interaction ritual chain theory and the concept of emotional-symbolic work, we identify three main ways in which emotional-symbolic work shapes polarization: by shaping how authority claims are negotiated through the crafting of symbols; by enabling strategic interactions aimed at influencing meaning; and by promoting small-group cohesion through the circulation of symbols. This chapter contributes to the study of the micro-foundations of emotions and provides a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of emotional energy and its dynamics that lead to polarization.

Keywords: Polarization; Emotion-symbolic work; Emotions; Values (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-3-032-12670-2_14

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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-12670-2_14

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