Integrative complexity and its relationship to polarization
Integrative complexity (IC)—the psychological construct measuring the complexity of information processing—directly counteracts dimensional compression by enabling perception of multiple perspectives and connections between seemingly opposed positions. Decades of research by Peter Suedfeld and colleagues provide empirical evidence for how varying levels of IC affect social and political dynamics.
IC consists of two measurable components: differentiation (recognizing multiple dimensions or perspectives) and integration (recognizing connections among differentiated dimensions). Research shows that extremist groups consistently demonstrate lower integrative complexity in their communications compared to moderate groups. Moreover, individuals engaging with extremist content show decreasing IC over time, suggesting that dimensionally compressed environments actively reduce cognitive complexity.
Historical analysis by Suedfeld and colleagues revealed that decreases in integrative complexity in diplomatic communications often precede violent conflicts, while increases typically precede peaceful resolution. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, communication complexity initially decreased as tensions escalated, then increased significantly as resolution approaches were developed—suggesting that dimensional expansion is essential for conflict transformation.
The relationship between polarization and dimensional compression forms a dangerous feedback loop: polarized environments reduce integrative complexity, which further increases polarization. Research on social media and political discourse demonstrates that exposure to like-minded content reduces IC, creating self-reinforcing bubbles of increasingly compressed thinking.