Consistent with the intergroup contact literature, cross‐political relationships (e.g., friendships or romantic relationships between different partisans) may help reduce inter‐political group prejudice. Given that unfavorable attitudes based on the political group membership are particularly heightened at present in the United States, we explored whether having cross‐political friendships (Study 1) or romantic relationships (Study 2) predict more positive interpersonal or intergroup attitudes among American Democrats and Republicans. In Study 1, using a social network measure (N = 301), where participants reported on their closest friends, cross‐political (versus same‐political) friendship was associated with less positive interpersonal attitudes when this relationship was unsatisfying. Having any (versus no) or more (versus less) cross‐political group friendships was not associated with holding more positive intergroup attitudes. In Study 2, cross‐political romantic relationships were examined (N = 392). Having a cross‐ (versus same‐) political romantic relationship was associated with relatively less positive attitudes toward the political outgroup via lower empathy when relationship satisfaction was low. Study findings highlight the potential limitations of the beneficial effects of intergroup contact.

中文翻译：

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跨越美国政治鸿沟的友爱与浪漫：阻碍还是帮助外来政治态度？

与群体间的联系文献一致，跨政治关系（例如，不同党派之间的友谊或浪漫关系）可能有助于减少政治间群体的偏见。鉴于目前在美国，基于政治团体成员身份的不利态度尤其严重，因此我们探讨了跨政治友谊（研究1）或恋爱关系（研究2）是否可以预测美国民主党和美国之间更积极的人际关系或群体间态度共和党人。在研究1中，使用社交网络测度（N = 301），参与者报告了他们的最亲密的朋友，当这种关系不令人满意时，跨政治（相对于同政治）友谊与较不积极的人际交往有关。具有任何（相对于没有）或更多（相对于更少）的跨政治群体友谊与保持更积极的群体间态度无关。在研究2中，研究了跨政治浪漫关系（N  = 392）。当关系满意度低时，拥有跨（相对于相同）的政治浪漫关系与通过较低的同理心对政治外围群体的相对较不积极的态度相关。研究结果突显了群体间接触有益效果的潜在局限性。