Jan 30, 2025 09:58 PM
Aspects of marriage counseling may hold the key to depolarizing, unifying the country, study finds
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1072201
INTRO: Research has shown that polarization undermines democracy by driving citizens to prioritize partisan preferences over democratic principles, encourages democratic gridlock and threatens democratic attitudes and norms, such as tolerance for opposition.
Today, Americans are grappling with deep political divides, often seeing those on the other side as untrustworthy, unpatriotic and misinformed — a rift that threatens democracy.
Could marriage counseling hold the key to a more unified country?
A recent study, published in Political Behavior and co-authored by Laura Gamboa, an assistant professor of democracy and global affairs at the Keough School of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame, found “reciprocal group reflection” — an intervention inspired by marriage counseling — helped reduce affective polarization among opposing political parties.
“Polarization threatens democracy, and finding ways to reduce it is vital,” Gamboa said. “This study uses a unique approach to understand why a proven depolarizing intervention works. With depolarizing efforts multiplying across the U.S., understanding not just if they work, but how and why, is more important than ever.”
The study brought together groups of undergraduate students on four university campuses who identify as Democrats and Republicans... (MORE - more details, no ads)
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1072201
INTRO: Research has shown that polarization undermines democracy by driving citizens to prioritize partisan preferences over democratic principles, encourages democratic gridlock and threatens democratic attitudes and norms, such as tolerance for opposition.
Today, Americans are grappling with deep political divides, often seeing those on the other side as untrustworthy, unpatriotic and misinformed — a rift that threatens democracy.
Could marriage counseling hold the key to a more unified country?
A recent study, published in Political Behavior and co-authored by Laura Gamboa, an assistant professor of democracy and global affairs at the Keough School of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame, found “reciprocal group reflection” — an intervention inspired by marriage counseling — helped reduce affective polarization among opposing political parties.
“Polarization threatens democracy, and finding ways to reduce it is vital,” Gamboa said. “This study uses a unique approach to understand why a proven depolarizing intervention works. With depolarizing efforts multiplying across the U.S., understanding not just if they work, but how and why, is more important than ever.”
The study brought together groups of undergraduate students on four university campuses who identify as Democrats and Republicans... (MORE - more details, no ads)