Self-Disclosure Bridges Political Divides by Making Opponents Feel Connected

Many people see those with different political beliefs as enemies. We argue that self-disclosure between partisans may help reduce this hostility. Relationship research shows that self-disclosure reliably increases interpersonal connection and relationship depth. We suggest that political relationships—and conversations—might also be improved by encouraging self-disclosure. More self-disclosure can be achieved by altering different elements of conversations, including content (sharing personal stories rather than facts), setting (e.g., living rooms rather than subways), and framing (simply stating that discussions are self-disclosing). Five studies show that self-disclosure helps bridge divides, moving political opponents away from animosity and towards respect and civility.