The Role of Confirmation Bias

A significant factor contributing to this polarization is how we consume information. Psychologists have identified confirmation bias as a cognitive phenomenon where individuals subconsciously accept or dismiss evidence based on their existing beliefs. Research shows that we often overlook arguments that challenge our preconceived ideas.

Drew Westen, a psychologist at Emory University, discovered that when participants received positive feedback about their chosen political leader, the brain's reward centers activated. Conversely, when confronted with contradictions from their leaders, the analytical areas of the brain became inactive. Westen summarizes this behavior by stating, “Essentially, it appears as if partisans twirl the cognitive kaleidoscope until they get the conclusions they want.”

The Influence of Social Media

Platforms like social media and partisan news sources facilitate the reinforcement of our beliefs, making it easier to construct arguments that align with our views. The real challenge lies in genuinely attempting to understand opposing perspectives. Engaging with the complexities of issues and assessing evidence objectively requires considerable effort, open-mindedness, and humility. These are difficult but essential steps toward uncovering the truth. We must be aware of our biases and allow our inquiries to shape our beliefs rather than let our beliefs dictate our questions.

Groupthink: A Dangerous Byproduct

A harmful consequence of confirmation bias is groupthink. Whether online or offline, individuals often seek out like-minded peers, creating tribal affiliations. Within these groups, a form of Darwinian peer pressure emerges, pushing members to adopt more extreme viewpoints to gain status. Those with moderate opinions may feel compelled to conform to the louder, more radical voices within their groups to avoid ostracism.

As a result, rational discourse is often sacrificed in favor of maintaining group cohesion. This leads to the formation of highly polarized factions driven by extreme views, which struggle to find common ground.

In the political realm, groupthink results in mutual disdain between parties, exacerbating the gridlock they contribute to. Legislation that manages to pass often reflects extreme positions born from mob mentality rather than thoughtful negotiation. If this trend continues unchecked, progress may stagnate for years, entrenching us in a cycle of reactive governance where each new administration indiscriminately reverses the policies of its predecessor.

A Path Forward

Fortunately, there are strategies to counteract this trend. Psychologist Mark Levine from Lancaster University conducted a study demonstrating how our brains can lead us into tribalism and how we can overcome it. Levine’s research involved "priming" soccer fans from rival teams—Manchester United and Liverpool. After answering questions about their preferred team, fans were exposed to a staged incident where an actor pretended to injure himself. Most Manchester United fans offered help if the jogger wore their team's colors, but assistance dwindled if the jogger supported Liverpool.

However, in a follow-up experiment, fans were prompted to think about the broader community of soccer supporters. This time, they were equally likely to help joggers regardless of their team affiliation. This finding highlights a hopeful possibility: by reminding ourselves of our shared humanity, we can foster kindness toward those outside our immediate groups.

The urgency to change our interactions has never been clearer. The divide between political parties has grown so vast that we now frame legislative decisions as wins or losses, treating governance as a competitive sport. It’s crucial to remember our collective identity as Americans first, rather than solely identifying with our political parties. Healing begins with rejecting leaders who prioritize their party over the well-being of the nation.

To overcome this dumbbell-like polarization, we must cultivate a culture of respect and collaboration. If we fail to address the cycles of confirmation bias and groupthink, and if we do not commit to prioritizing truth over tribal allegiance, the future of America will be at risk.

The first video titled "What Are the Effects of Political Polarization? Lessons from a Negotiation Expert" delves into the impact of political division and offers insights from an expert on negotiation strategies to bridge these divides.

The second video titled "Build MUSCLE, Age Gracefully" discusses the importance of maintaining physical health and fitness as we age, linking the mind-body connection to our overall well-being.