Presumed orientation and performative appeasement: Misidentifying spousal political orientations in the age of political polarization

Emerging literature has begun exploring how within-couple political misalignment in politically polarized societies shapes marital relations. This study introduces the concept of spousal political misidentification, which distinguishes between actual and perceived political misalignment. It enriches our understanding of how political misalignment affects marital relationships beyond overt conflict. Many past studies rely on individual-level data and assume respondents accurately identify their spouses’ political orientations. To test the validity of this assumption, this mixed-methods study from Hong Kong analyzed quantitative and qualitative dyadic data from a representative household survey and in-depth interviews to determine whether couples accurately identify their partners’ orientations. The quantitative data reveal that a notable proportion of married individuals misidentified their spouses’ political orientations. Spousal political misidentification is systematic and linked to political misalignment and affective polarization. The qualitative data underscore that the patterns of political communication are crucial for understanding the elevated misidentification rates among politically misaligned couples. This research identified two key mechanisms leading to misidentification: presumed orientation and performative appeasement. These two mechanisms are not mutually exclusive. They mainly occur in politically misaligned couples, particularly when one partner is passionate about political matters while the other is less engaged. These mechanisms reveal a complexity unaddressed in prior work: silence or appeasement can serve as strategic responses to maintain harmony, yet they deepen misunderstandings and contribute to unilateral misperception.