About this episode

Robb Willer discusses the psychological forces behind partisan animosity and potential interventions to strengthen democracy.

What are the psychological forces driving that partisan animosity? What’s causing Americans to vote for anti-democracy candidates? Are there any interventions that might actually work to turn down the heat and save our democracy? Robb Willer, professor of sociology, psychology, and organizational behavior at Stanford University talks with Ron Steslow about Stanford’s Strengthening Democracy Challenge, reducing partisan animosity and support for anti-democracy candidates . (01:31) Robb’s background (02:46) The growth of polarization and partisan animosity (15:08) The Strengthening Democracy Challenge (22:40) Negative partisanship and support for undemocratic candidates (29:46) How cues from leaders can reduce support for anti-democracy candidates (32:17) Working together and respectfully discussing differences reduces partisan animosity (37:47) Misperceptions about how how you’re viewed by members of another party fuels animosity (46:47) Is there hope for overcoming animosity and acceptance of undemocratic candidates? (53:16) How to implement these ideas (59:23) The role of emotions in decision making You should check out the interventions we discussed: Elite Cues…

People in this episode

Host: Ron Steslow

Guest: Robb Willer

Topics covered

• partisan animosity
• democracy
• psychology
• polarization
• interventions

Keywords

• democracy interventions
• partisan animosity
• anti-democracy candidates
• polarization
• Strengthening Democracy Challenge

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Stanford University

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