A recent study suggests that individuals tend to underestimate the positive outcomes of engaging in conversations with strangers who hold opposing viewpoints. This tendency may be due to a fear of negative interactions, which can lead to misplaced partisan divides and hinder social connections and learning opportunities. Researchers conducted a series of experiments involving hundreds of U.S. adults and found that people prefer to avoid discussing hot-button issues, especially with those who disagree with them. However, the researchers believed that discussing political differences could be a more positive experience than expected, as conversations have the potential to be informative and bring people closer together.
In one experiment, nearly 200 participants were asked for their opinions on divisive political and religious topics and were then paired up to discuss one of these topics with a partner. Participants were either informed in advance whether their partners agreed with them or not, or entered the discussions unaware of their partners’ views. The participants rated their expectations for the conversation, engaged in the discussion while being video recorded, and afterwards rated their sentiments about the dialogue. Coders who watched the videos of the conversations confirmed that participants tended to stay on topic and that the conversations were mostly positive, regardless of whether the participants agreed or disagreed with each other.
Another experiment tested the hypothesis that people underestimate the positive effects of actual dialogue in connecting with others. Participants were randomly assigned to discuss a divisive topic they agreed or disagreed on with a partner, and were either assigned to have a conversation or learn of their partners’ beliefs in a monologue format. The results showed that participants underestimated the positivity of their interactions, especially when they disagreed with their partner, and this underestimation was even stronger when people engaged in a conversation rather than a monologue. These findings highlight the social forces in conversation that draw people together more powerfully than expected.
The researchers cautioned that their experiments were conducted with strangers and did not provide insights into how disagreements unfold among family and friends. However, they emphasized the benefits of engaging in conversations and listening to others rather than resorting to debates on social media. By avoiding discussions on our differences, we miss out on positive social interactions and hinder opportunities for learning and social connection. The authors stressed that misunderstanding the outcomes of conversations could lead people to avoid discussing disagreements, thereby creating a barrier to learning, social connection, free inquiry, and free expression.
Overall, the study suggests that individuals tend to underestimate the positive experience of engaging in conversations with strangers who hold opposing viewpoints. By having these conversations, people may gain insights, connect with others, and learn from different perspectives. The fear of negative interactions can create barriers to social connection and hinder opportunities for learning and understanding. Embracing discussions on divisive topics can lead to more positive outcomes than expected, highlighting the importance of open communication and dialogue in bridging differences and building connections.
