‘We are all ‘mad as hell’ about some political or social issue” Allen Woods wrote in his excellent column last week [”The politics of anger,” Recorder, Sept. 28]. I agree, but my own sense is that the poisonous political poltergeist that has wrapped so many of us in the grey fog of anger has social roots.

The attempted assassination of Donald Trump highlights a terrible truth: Political violence and support for political violence have been rising in the United States.

I believe that Trump himself bears much of the responsibility for this trend. His entry into American politics triggered a sharp rise in violent rhetoric, which has inexorably led toward violent actions. Acts of terrorist violence by individuals operating outside of any organization have proliferated, with the attempted killing of Trump only the latest example.

In fact, threats against lawmakers have grown tenfold since 2016. This trend crystallized on Jan. 6, 2021, when Trump urged a mob of protesters to attack the U.S. Capitol in an effort to stop certification of Joe Biden as president. Five people died that day, and four responding police officers took their lives within seven months after the attack.

How many Americans endorse these acts? Approval for the Jan. 6 attack has actually risen among Republicans in the past three years, from 21% to 30%, while those strongly disapproving dropped by almost 20 points. A PBS NewsHour/NPR/Marist poll published in April of this year showed that one in five Americans believe that political violence can be justified at times — a result that is roughly reflected in recent peer-reviewed studies.

So, what social and psychological forces are at work in our society and our minds when we move from disagreeing with political opponents to actually wanting to harm them? What can we do to coax people in a more peaceful direction?

■One of the most important factors driving political anger is the increasing strength of partisan identities. Americans are increasingly using their political party affiliation as a source of meaning and social identity. This goes beyond mere policy disagreements and extends to differences in lifestyle, consumption habits, and personal values. As a result, political disagreements can feel like personal attacks on one’s core identity.

■The Republican Party has become whiter in recent decades, while the Democratic Party has become more racially diverse. This racial sorting of political parties has intensified antagonism between them. Studies have shown that feelings of threatened status among white Christians are strongly predictive of support for conservative politicians and ideologies.

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■Political anger is causing Americans to socially polarize. Research has found that when partisans are angry at the opposing party, they are more likely to avoid social interactions with supporters from the other side. This includes everyday activities like talking at parties, having drinks, or even helping neighbors who support the opposing party. This social polarization reinforces political divisions and reduces opportunities for cross-partisan understanding.

■There’s a growing perception among some groups, particularly white Christians, of declining influence and persecution. This feeling of victimhood can fuel anger and resentment toward perceived outsiders or those seen as responsible for social changes.

■While not explicitly mentioned in the search results, the fragmentation of media landscapes and the rise of social media echo chambers have contributed to political anger by reinforcing partisan narratives and limiting exposure to diverse viewpoints.

■It’s important to understand that political anger in America is not entirely new. Historians have traced a “paranoid style” in American politics back to at least the 18th century.

■What’s different now is how this anger is being expressed, particularly as historically marginalized groups gain more representation in the political system.

Thus, my belief is that the current political anger in America has deep social roots that go beyond mere policy disagreements. It’s intertwined with issues of identity, demographic change, and perceptions of social status.

Maybe I’m naive to want to reduce political anger. It would take a ginormous conscious effort and commitment … beginning on a personal level.

Ariel Hasell, an assistant professor at the University of Michigan, has noted that, “An easy way to avoid getting angry and cynical is to be mindful about focusing on non-hostile, civil dialogue.” By being intentional about our media consumption (avoid Fox News et al.), fostering understanding, and engaging constructively, we can begin reducing political anger in our personal lives and communities. There are hundreds (probably more) of people and groups working toward this goal.

While we may not be able to eliminate it entirely, these efforts can significantly improve our political discourse … and our personal well-being.

Writing about being angry can be dispiriting. So, in his next “Connecting the Dots” column, John Bos is looking for what may be uplifting to write about. Bos is a contributing writer for Green Energy Times and New Jersey Today. Comments and questions can always be sent to john01370@gmail.com.