Negotiating Conflict Across Deep Divisions in Face-to-Face Group Discussions: An Examination of Deliberative Transformative Moments

• In Event: Intergroup Communication and Globalization: Contact, Identity, and Discrimination

Abstract

Based on political talk and public deliberation literature, this paper investigates how members of the police and slum dwellers in Brazil engage and de-engage in deliberation, during focus group discussion. While a range of research has examined the dynamics of deliberation, the communicative elements and sorts of behavior that prompt the individuals to start, continue or end mutual reason-exchange remain poorly understood. By applying the concept of “Deliberative Transformative Moments” (DTM) (Steiner 2012) across five sensitive and conflictual issues, this paper contributes to fill this gap. It shows how personal narratives, sarcasm and humor, justification and the role of leaders may constrain or enable deliberation. Results further show when conversation is unilateral or mutual; hierarchical or reciprocal; and backward-looking or forward-looking.

Authors

• Rousiley Celi Moreira Maia, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG)

• Danila Gentil Rodriguez Cal, University of Amazonia (Unama)

• Rafael Cardoso Sampaio, U Federal de Minas Gerais

• Renato Francisquini Teixeira, U Federal de Minas Gerais

• Patrícia Gonçalves Conceição Rossini, U Federal de Minas Gerais

• Vanessa Veiga de Oliveira, FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF MINAS GERAIS