Dr. Julie Wronski is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Mississippi whose research lies at the intersection of American Politics and Political Psychology.
Research Interests
- Partisan sorting and Political Polarization in the United States
- Psychological Components of Political Attitudes and Behaviors, including Authoritarianism, Empathy, and Social Identities
- American National Identity and Threats to American Democracy
- Public Opinion Polling and Survey Methodology
- Experimental Design and Analysis
Biography
Dr. Julie Wronski is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Mississippi. Her research lies at the intersection of American Politics and Political Psychology. Using survey, experimental, and quantitative research methods, she explores the ways in which group identities and personal dispositions shape political behavior, public opinion, and vote choice. Specifically, she focuses on the roles of national and partisan identities, authoritarianism, and empathy in shaping political behavior in the United States. Wronski’s research has been published in the American Political Science Review, Journal of Politics, Political Psychology, and Political Behavior, among other peer-reviewed outlets; and has been funded by the National Science Foundation’s Time Sharing Experiments in the Social Sciences. Her work on partisan sorting and identity politics is routinely featured in international news outlets including the New York Times, The Economist, and the Washington Post. She is currently serving as the Associate Editor, American Political Behavior for the Journal of Politics. Her current book project, The “Un-American” Citizen, examines how Americans psychologically make sense of their national identity in a politically polarized climate, and how partisan divisions shape mass public beliefs that fellow citizens are un-American. Using survey, experimental, and observational studies from 2016–2022 the book assesses the scope of un-American attitudes in public opinion, the factors that motivate individuals to think about their fellow citizens as un-American, and the ways in which conflicting beliefs regarding who does (and does not) count as an American threaten our nation’s democracy.
Publications
Published in American Political Science Review, 155 (4): 1508-1516
Partisanship in American politics is inextricably linked with social identities, and sentiments toward party-aligned groups affect political orientations. However, out-group animosity may operate differently depending on the party or elite. We investigate the extent to which citizens’ animus toward (Democratically aligned) minority groups drove political support for Donald Trump, whose incendiary rhetoric regarding such groups is unique in modern presidential politics.
Kane, John V., Lilliana Mason, and Julie Wronski. 2021. “Who's at the Party? Group Sentiments, Knowledge, and Partisan Identity." The Journal of Politics, 83 (4): 1783-1799.
Gross, Kimberly, and Julie Wronski. 2021. “Helping the Homeless: The Role of Empathy, Race, and Deservingness in Motivating Policy Support and Charitable Giving." Political Behavior, 43, 585-613.
Feldman, Stanley, Leonie Huddy, Julie Wronski, and Patrick Lown. 2020. “The Interplay of Empathy and Individualism in Support for Social Welfare Policies." Political Psychology, 41 (2): 343-362.
Wronski, Julie, Alexa Bankert, Karyn Amira, April Johnson, and Lindsey Levitan. 2018. “A Tale of Two Democrats: How Authoritarianism Divides the Democratic Party." The Journal of Politics, 80(4): 1384-1388.
Courses Taught
Education
Ph.D. Political Science, SUNY Stony Brook (2014)