Summary: More in Common released our latest report, “The Connection Opportunity: Insights for Bringing Americans Together Across Difference.” Engaging over 6,000 Americans across 2 years, our research explores Americans’ interest in – and barriers to – connecting across four lines of difference: race/ethnicity, political viewpoint, socioeconomic status, and religion.
To learn more about this research, sign up for one of our upcoming webinars with Democracy Notes (April 3rd at 3pm EST) and the Council on Foundations (April 23rd at 2pm EST).
The Connection Opportunity
Americans are increasingly disconnected and divided, reporting record high levels of loneliness and distrust in both institutions and each other. One of the solutions to this “crisis” of connection is clear: we must reconnect, especially to people whose backgrounds or viewpoints may be different from our own. But are Americans interested in forming these connections? And if so, what is standing in the way?
Over the past two years, the research team at More in Common set out to answer these questions by conducting a wide-ranging investigation of over 6,000 Americans’ attitudes towards connecting across four lines of difference: race/ethnicity, political viewpoint, socioeconomic status, and religion.
We found that a majority of Americans are not only interested in connecting across all four lines of difference, but feel a responsibility to do so as well. Yet Americans cite a lack of opportunity – and fears that the encounter won’t go well, especially when connecting across political differences.
Strengthening a culture of connection in a nation as diverse as the US is not just possible — it’s necessary for creating a flourishing, pluralistic society. Below are key insights and strategies from our findings that can help show the way.
Five Key Insights
1. Most Americans value connecting across difference, and are most interested in activities where they can work together.
A majority (66 percent) of Americans across all demographic groups feel they can learn something valuable by connecting with others who are different from them—and seven in ten (70 percent) feel a responsibility to do so.
A majority of Americans are also interested in a participating in a range of activities where they connect with others across differences. However, they are generally less interested in talking about their differences and more interested in working together to achieve shared goals.
2. The most commonly cited barrier to connection is a “lack of opportunity.”
If a majority of Americans want to connect, why aren’t they doing it more? The most commonly cited reason is that they lack the opportunity (26 percent, on average). Beyond this, some Americans say that the interaction isn’t a priority to them (18 percent, on average), or express concerns that the other side isn’t interested (15 percent, on average).
3. Americans are most apprehensive about connecting across political differences (compared to other areas of difference).
While a majority of Americans express interest in activities where they connect across political differences, they report the least interest in connecting across political differences overall.
Americans are also more likely to report personal hesitations (rather than a lack of opportunities) when it comes to connecting across politics. Some Americans say that they “don’t have the energy” (18 percent), think it would “be uncomfortable” (17 percent), or are concerned about being “misunderstood” (17 percent). Moreover, Americans were also more likely to cite “concerns for my personal safety” (13 percent) as a challenge to connection across political lines of difference.
4. Two factors–community norms and intergroup anxiety–stand out as the strongest predictors of interest in connecting across all four lines of difference.
We find that the strongest predictor that increases interest in connection is “community norms” of connection (shared beliefs about how common and valued connecting across difference is within one’s community). Simply put, when individuals believe that others in their community value (and engage) across lines of difference, they are more likely to show interest in doing so themselves.
Meanwhile, we find that the strongest predictor that decreases interest in connection is intergroup anxiety (the fear of having an awkward or uncomfortable interaction with someone from a different group). The higher this anxiety, the less likely individuals are to be interested in connecting.
Other important predictors of interest include how often someone is already connecting (i.e. the frequency of interacting across difference), social curiosity, connective responsibility, and sense of local community belonging. Notably, we found that psychological factors were generally more predictive than demographic characteristics in determining interest.
5. Connection is cumulative: the more people have an opportunity to connect, the more interested they are in connecting.
We find that experiences of connecting across difference can lead people to be more interested in connecting again in the future, suggesting that connection experiences can build on themselves in a virtuous cycle. We term such cycles “connection cascades” and suggest they may be a powerful tool for those seeking to build stronger cultures of connection.
How can we turn these insights into action?
Building connections across lines of difference is possible—even in as diverse of a country as the US. It can (and does!) happen organically. Yet, given societal forces that work to drive us apart and lead us to spend more time alone, fostering sustained, meaningful connection also requires intentionality, resourcing, and a bit of strategy.
Based on our findings, we identified seven “levers of change,” or evidence-backed strategies that community leaders, stakeholders, and individuals can use to foster greater connection across difference in their communities. They include:
Provide more opportunities for connection
Increase the perception that connecting across difference is the “community norm”
Foster feelings of local community belonging
Highlight commonalities, like shared interests or goals, when wanting to broaden appeal of bridging opportunities
Reduce intergroup anxiety through correcting misperceptions and skill-building
Emphasize the importance of “connective responsibility”
Seek opportunities to create “connection cascades”
Learn more:
There is so much more that we’ve learned through this research (all which can be found on our website) and we look forward to highlighting in upcoming newsletters and events. In the meantime, check out the following resources to dig into the insights.
Interested in learning more about the findings?
Read our main report for a detailed explanation of the insights, methods, and seven “levers of change.”
Sign up for an upcoming webinar with Democracy Notes on April 3rd at 3pm EST and the Council on Foundations on April 23rd at 2pm EST.
Looking to take action to build more connection in your community or workplace?
Go to the Recommendations for Stakeholders section in our main report for specific resources and helpful links.
For inspiration of what this work looks like at the local community level, the Recommendations section also highlights how seven organizations are incorporating these strategies into their work.
We identified 6 approaches Americans have towards connection. What approach resonates with you?
For a deep dive into the characteristics, behaviors, and beliefs of individuals who are more (vs. less) interested in connection across lines of difference, read through our interactive Typology : “Six Approaches to Connecting Across Differences”
Are you or someone you know based in Houston, Kansas City, or Pittsburgh?
Do a deep dive into our findings related to connection in these three metro areas via the following regional “spotlights” decks: Houston, Kansas City, and Pittsburgh. And you can read about our work in the Kansas City Star.
Excited to spread the word?
Share the findings using our communications toolkit.
Sign up for one of our upcoming webinars with Democracy Notes April 3rd at 3pm EST and the Council on Foundations on April 23rd at 2pm EST if you want to learn more.
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MIC regularly conducts research that sheds light on both cross-group misperceptions and common ground. Consider supporting our work by making a donation.