EGAP Democracy, Conflict, & Polarization Seminar Series: Can Americans Depolarize? Assessing the Effects of Reciprocal Group Reflection on Partisan Polarization

In the third event of the Democracy, Conflict, and Polarization Seminar Series, we present results from a study focused on one model of depolarizing partisans – reciprocal group reflection – inspired by marital counseling and implemented by a non-governmental organization, Braver Angels. A randomized control trial of workshops across four American universities shows that this model can significantly reduce polarization according to explicit and implicit measures and increase participants’ support for depolarization.

The panel discussion will include researchers and the implementing partner, Braver Angels, a citizens’ organization uniting red and blue Americans in a working alliance to depolarize America. A discussion about the research collaboration and results will be followed by an audience Q&A session.

Panel: Hannah Baron (Brown University), Robert Blair (Brown University), Bill Doherty (Braver Angels), Jessica Gottlieb (University of Houston)

Host and Moderator: David Broockman (University of California, Berkeley)