Beyond the Divide: Can We Reverse Polarisation?

We're more divided than ever – and mostly avoiding the conversations that could change that.Research shows that a single civil conversation reduces polarisation more than people expect. Not a debate. Not a lecture. Just a chat.In this episode, Grace is joined by Chartered Psychologist Louise Weston to explore the psychology behind polarisation. Together, they unpack the "online disinhibition effect", the algorithms that reward outrage over nuance, and the new research that proves talking across difference works to depolarise attitudes.They close with four ground rules for how to have challenging conversations effectively and move towards a less divided society.References:Suler, John. (2004). The Online Disinhibition Effect. Cyberpsychology & behavior : the impact of the Internet, multimedia and virtual reality on behavior and society. 7. 321-6. 10.1089/1094931041291295. Kardas, M., Nordgren, L., & Rucker, D. (2026). Unnecessarily divided: Civil conversations reduce attitude polarization more than people expect. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 130(2), 187–214. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspa0000469A podcast exploring the psychology behind current events, daily decision-making, and the ideas that frame our thinking.Brought to you by the expert team of chartered business psychologists at Pearn Kandola LLP. Find out more at pearnkandola.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.