Publications

More in Common took shape from work undertaken since 2016 to understand why so many societies were dividing around debates about their identity and belonging, and why people were being increasingly persuaded to see debates about immigration, refugees and diversity through the lens of ‘us-versus-them’. Since then, we have broadened our research agenda and incorporated several layers of social psychology research to provide a deeper analysis of the different factors contributing to polarization and social fracturing.

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Speaking to Core Beliefs in Immigration

December 2019

Immigration has been among the most divisive political issues of recent years. Is it possible to speak about the subject in a manner that does not further inflame divisions, but instead appeals across the political spectrum? In this test of different messages, we draw on a deep understanding of the psychology of the competing partisan perspectives to offer ways to communicate about immigration that resonate across parties, demographics and tribes.

Fault Lines: Germany’s Invisible Divides

October 2019
dieandereteilung.de

Where do we stand as a society in Germany and where are we going? We wanted to find out and in 2019 surveyed over 4,000 people. Our results offer a different perspective on German society and thereby facilitate new approaches to social cohesion.

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The Perception Gap: How False Impressions are Pulling Americans Apart

June 2019
perceptiongap.us

An important source of polarization in America is the false beliefs people have of their partisan opponents, particularly amongst the most politically active. This report provides evidence of the extent of the ‘perception gap’ among Americans, with some surprising findings – including that those most engaged in following political news are more likely than others to be wrong about the views of people on the other side of the fence.

Attitudes towards National Identity, Immigration and Refugees in Greece

May 2019

This report demonstrates that despite deep frustrations with a decade-long economic crisis, the EU, the government and immigration, Greeks are more likely to express empathy towards refugees than to blame them for their circumstances.

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Hidden Tribes: Midterm Update

November 2018
https://hiddentribes.us/midterm-updates/

This short report followed a new wave of research into the behavior of the members of the seven population segments identified in the Hidden Tribes study. It shows how the values, beliefs and motivations of each distinct group was reflected in how they participated in the midterms. It is the second report in the Hidden Tribes Project and demonstrated the value of a segmentation model based on Americans’ values and worldview, rather than just partisan or demographic identity.

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Hidden Tribes: A Study of America’s Polarized Landscape

October 2018
hiddentribes.us

This landmark study is based on a representative survey of 8,000 Americans in 2018, and finds that rather than being divided 50-50 between two opposing political groups, American society today consists of seven distinctive groups, most of whom are deeply concerned by the country’s growing polarization. The study finds an ‘Exhausted Majority’ that feel unrepresented and left out by the intensifying conflict and tribalism of the loudest voices in politics and media platforms. It also provides a way forward, highlighting a much greater degree of common ground among Americans than conventional wisdom would suggest.

Attitudes towards National Identity, Immigration and Refugees in Italy

July 2018

This report demonstrates that alongside deep frustrations with political elites, most Italians identify with Italy’s tradition of hospitality and reject extreme views about migrants and refugees. The report identifies seven distinct segments of opinion among Italians – including a clear division between the supporters of the country’s two populist parties, the former coalition partners, Five Star Movement and Lega.

Attitudes and Perceptions Towards Migrants Among French Catholics

June 2018

French Catholics make up 53% of the total French population. Their attitudes on refugees and immigration contrast in several important ways with that of the French population overall.

The Psychology of Authoritarian Populism: A Bird's Eye View

June 2018

The paper provides a bird’s-eye view of the most important insights from academic research on authoritarian populism and the appeal of polarizing ‘us versus them’ narratives. It provides some valuable perspectives on what is driving the forces of division in many societies across the world.

Attitudes Towards Refugees, Immigrants, and Identity in France

July 2017

Beyond refugee and immigration policies, a wider anxiety about the notion of ‘otherness’ persists in France, partially resulting from a widely shared perception that France has not integrated immigrants successfully.