The Mitigating Effects of Humility on Political Hostility and Stress

• In Event: Emotions and Political Psychology

Abstract

Citizens are increasingly divided along partisan lines, displaying greater animosity toward, social distance from, and unwillingness to compromise with political opponents. For many people, the prospect of even listening to opposing political views triggers heightened stress. Pluralist democracies, however, are rooted in ideals of civility, reasoned deliberation, and pragmatic compromise in the face of vibrant political differences. How, then, do we reduce hostility and stress between political opponents in ways that contribute to human flourishing in public life? Building on insights from positive psychology, we theorize that the character strength of humility helps mitigate negative attitudes and self-enhancing motives that heighten political division. We also expect that the increased salience of non-political versus political identities will mitigate partisan hostility. To assess these expectations, we randomly assign a sample of college students to complete an evidence-based political humility intervention over four weeks. We use a three-wave panel survey and psychophysiological measures to evaluate the curriculum’s influence on the development of humility and the strength of social and moral identities, as well as the influence of humility and non-political identities on hostility and stress responses triggered by interactions across political differences. At a time when the U.S. political climate is increasingly characterized by animosity and division, results from this study suggest a practical way to improve interactions between political opponents.

Author

• Kristin N. Garrett, Wheaton College