Campaign for Connection

Welcome to Campaign for Connection—a initiative from the Greater Good Science Center’s Bridging Differences program at UC Berkeley, designed to help us navigate these polarized times with practical, science-based skills. Our goal is simple: to make it easier for you to connect with others with empathy and respect, even if they see the world differently from you.

Research shows that three out of four Americans want to live in a less polarized, more united country, but our current political climate is pushing us further apart, threatening our well-being, relationships, and the foundations of our democracy.

This campaign is designed to help us navigate these divisive times with practical, research-backed skills. From humanizing those we disagree with to listening with compassion and finding shared identities–while staying true to our own–our goal is to foster deeper understanding and collaboration across our differences. 

We invite you to put the science of human connection into practice, by using the skills below to transform division into opportunities for deeper connection.

Our Bridging Differences featured skills:

Skill #1: Focus on Individuality, Not Group Identity: According to research when we view people in terms of their own individual tastes and preferences, we feel less threatened by those who might seem “not like us.”

Focus on Individuality, Not Group Identity We often see others in terms of their group membership: “he's old”, “she's white”, “they're immigrants” But according to research, when we view people in terms of their own individual tastes and preferences, we feel less threatened by those who might seem

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Skill #2: Seek and Promote Counter-Stereotypical Information: Challenge yourself to go beyond common stereotypes. Engage with someone from a different group, or explore content that reveals unexpected narratives. This practice not only broadens your perspective but also strengthens connections by replacing superficial judgments with real-world insights.

Illustration of a chess tournament scene. In the foreground, a woman with a teal hat and a purple dress stands observing. In the background, a sign reads 'Chess Friendly Tournament.' A man stands near a chess table with two players seated behind him, focused on their game. A poster on the wall behind him reads 'Join the Community!' The scene suggests a welcoming and inclusive environment where people are encouraged to participate and connect through chess. The title 'Expand Your Views and Circles' highlights the theme of social engagement and broadening perspectives.

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Skill #3: Listen with Compassion: Studies find that when we feel listened to during disagreements, we feel more socially connected to our conversation partners and can see our views more objectively. Research also shows that high-quality listening makes people more open-minded, less defensive and less focused on their self-interests.

Illustration of two individuals sitting at separate tables, each with a confused expression and a question mark above their heads. Both are looking at piles of puzzle pieces in front of them. A torn line splits the image in the middle, symbolizing a divide between them. On the left, a woman with braided hair rests her chin on her hand next to a pink mug and a box labeled '1000 Piece.' On the right, a man rests his head on his hand with a yellow cup beside him and a box labeled 'Puzzle.' The background shows large windows, and the scene suggests a shared sense of confusion or frustration.

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Skill #4: Perspective Taking: Perspective taking can help us appreciate where others are coming from—all while holding firm to our own views. When you find it difficult to relate to someone’s viewpoint, try asking yourself, “What experiences might have shaped their views?” By considering this question—even if you don’t engage directly with the other person—you can broaden your perspective. With gained understanding, you may invite them into a conversation.

Note: No one should take the perspective of a group that dehumanizes them. Respect and acceptance need to be present.  

Illustration of two individuals, facing each other in profile. The person on the left has short, light-colored hair and is wearing a collared shirt, while the person on the right has darker hair with a slightly different hairstyle and is wearing a sleeveless top. Both appear to be looking directly at each other with neutral expressions, suggesting a moment of mutual observation or confrontation.

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Skill #5 Finding Shared Identities: Even when someone seems different from you, chances are you can find at least one important identity you have in common-it could be a group both belong to (you're both Midwesterners) or a role you share (you're both parents). Often those shared identities are bigger and more significant than our differences. 

This illustration shows four individuals, two in red jerseys and two in blue jerseys, standing close together. The people in blue are smiling and excited, possibly about the event the group is observing. The individuals in red appear to be a bit more distressed, with mixed expressions of concern or surprise, indicating that they might not be pleased with the outcome of the event. The image might depict people observing a sports event, with the differences in jersey colors indicating support for different teams.

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Skill#6 Self-Distancing: When conversations get heated, emotions can take over, making it hard to engage constructively. Self-distancing encourages you to view yourself from an outsider's perspective and talk about yourself in the third person—such as saying, "Jane is so angry" instead of "I'm so angry". 

Illustration of two individuals facing each other, both appearing frustrated. The person on the left, wearing a light-colored shirt and tie, has arms crossed with an angry expression, indicated by a red anger mark on their head. The person on the right, wearing a headscarf and dark clothing, is holding their forehead with a tense expression, also indicated by a red anger mark. Both individuals seem to be in a heated or stressful conversation.

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Skill# 7 Identify Common Goals: Despite our differences, we’re more willing and able to put those differences aside when we identify a shared goal that we need to work together to achieve. Focusing on common goals can shift our perceptions of each other from adversaries to collaborators.

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7 Day Challenge Banner

Research tells us that three out of four Americans view political hostility and divisiveness as a serious issue and hope for a less polarized country. If you want to help bridge these divides, join the 7-Day Campaign for Connection Challenge! Each day, we’ll introduce a science-based skill to help you connect with others that seem different from us. The challenge is active and ongoing!

Join our 7-Day Campaign for Connection Challenge

 

 

Want to be featured? Let us know how you are applying the skills!

  • Kristin Neff
    “Greater Good is unparalleled in bringing together fresh ideas, the latest science, and daily practices that can help people thrive. If you want to learn about empirically proven ways to enhance personal well-being while building more compassionate connections with others, the Greater Good Science Center is the place to start.”

    ― Kristin Neff, Ph.D., associate professor, University of Texas at Austin & author of Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself

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