Frenemies

Advance praise: 'Easily the most comprehensive, theory-driven examination of social media and political polarization to date.' Diana Mutz, Samuel A. Stouffer Professor of Political Science and Communication, University of Pennsylvania Advance praise: 'Frenemies is compelling social science with an original, provocative claim: our minds see the often non-political bits and pieces that unknown friends of friends reveal about themselves on Facebook and exaggerate them into a phalanx of misguided political opponents. Combine this mechanism with Facebook's scope, and you get a veritable polarization machine that transforms casual chitchat among strangers into bitter if illusionary partisan disagreement.' Markus Prior, Princeton University Advance praise: 'Frenemies is a path-breaking and well-researched book. It offers both theoretical and empirical breakthroughs on the political effects of social media. Settle's novel and insightful theoretical framework succeeds where previous scholarship has failed in providing a coherent model for understanding how unique aspects of the social media environment interact with human psychology to influence political attitudes and behavior. She also makes a compelling and strong case that Facebook, of which a majority of Americans use, has contributed to the increase in partisan bitterness and division that we observe today. This book will set the standard in the study of political communication for years to come.' Kevin Arceneaux, Temple University, Pennsylvania Advance praise: 'An instant classic ... brilliant, [challenges] assumptions that pundits and scholars have about how the process works. The book will set the standard for future media and politics research.' Marc Hetherington, Vanderbilt University, Tennessee