Many Americans overestimate the degree of polarization between Democrats and Republicans, and this misconception is associated with citizens鈥 voting behavior and their involvement in political activities, according to new findings from the University of Colorado Boulder. 鈥淚t is clear that Americans see themselves as very sharply polarized,鈥 said Professor Leaf Van Boven, who led the research efforts. 鈥淎nd that the extent of perceived polarization dramatically overstates the actual degree of polarization.鈥