This study synthesizes fragmented and interdisciplinary research on group polarization in social media through a systematic literature review, identifying key antecedents, mechanisms, consequences, and directions for future research.
Using a multilevel analytical framework, we reviewed 1,201 high-impact publications from the Web of Science and Scopus databases. Bibliometric analysis was conducted using CiteSpace, and thematic synthesis was performed with the R package Bibliometrix to examine temporal trends, disciplinary clusters, and keyword evolution.
The review identifies three major categories of antecedents of group polarization: the information environment, individual characteristics, and the social environment. Core mechanisms, including selective exposure, consensus pressure, and reduced information diversity, intensify polarization by reinforcing homogeneous networks and weakening moderating influences. The consequences are wide-ranging, encompassing increased intergroup hostility, distorted public discourse, and growing challenges to governance and democratic processes.
The multidisciplinary nature of the literature, with diverse analytical perspectives, complicates the development of a fully unified framework and may constrain the generalizability of the findings.
Platforms can adopt context-sensitive recommendation systems that gradually increase viewpoint diversity to counter selective exposure and consensus pressure. Platforms and policymakers should coordinate to mitigate polarization risks.
This study proposes an integrative framework that consolidates fragmented knowledge and advances understanding of the sociotechnical dynamics shaping digital discourse.
The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-02-2025-0078
