Affective polarization, animosity towards opposing political parties, is at unprecedented levels. As a result, these partisan divides harm social cohesion and prevent people from seeing our common humanity and coming together as family, neighbors, friends, and a nation with a shared purpose.
This proposal integrates the science of character virtues and religion to investigate whether living a life characterized by religion can increase intellectual humility and compassion to decrease affective polarization and encourage cross-party prosocial behavior. We examine these questions with ecological momentary assessment, experimental, and quasi-experimental approaches among multiple religious groups.
This project is needed to identify approaches that can increase tolerance and civility in our politically divided nation and promote social cohesion and human flourishing. It will deliver peer-reviewed papers and conference presentations, outreach with religious organizations, a course on religion and partisanship, op-eds, and open material and data. It will generate scholarly knowledge and enthusiasm for the scientific literature on religion, character, and politics, create opportunities for collaborative research, and encourage public appreciation for how religion and spirituality can foster character virtues that can help heal partisan divides.
