Kurt Gray, a psychology and neuroscience professor at UNC Chapel Hill, dives into the landscape of moral outrage and the psychology behind it. He introduces his CIV approach—Connect, Invite, and Validate—as a method for mending societal divides. Through engaging discussions about empathy, he challenges political myths and emphasizes the need for personal stories in debates on sensitive topics. Gray also addresses mental fatigue from today's divisive climate and advocates for compassionate communication to foster understanding.
Understanding moral outrage requires recognizing our shared humanity and acknowledging different perspectives to foster empathy and dialogue.
Implementing the CIV approach—Connect, Invite, and Validate—can transform contentious conversations into meaningful discussions and promote mutual understanding.
Deep dives
Fight or Flight Response and Managing Outrage
The activation of the fight or flight response occurs in just a fifth of a second, while calming down after such activation takes around 20 minutes. This highlights the necessity for individuals to take time and space away from outrage-inducing situations. To manage feelings of anger or frustration, it's advisable to avoid responding immediately, such as refraining from sending emails while experiencing anger or discussing contentious topics at heated moments. Instead, people should allow themselves to cool down and reflect before re-engaging in potentially volatile conversations.
Three Steps for Better Conversations
Implementing effective communication can be achieved through three key steps: connect, invite, and validate. The 'connect' phase establishes a personal relationship rather than diving straight into contentious issues, helping create a comfortable environment for discussion. Following this, the 'invite' step involves asking questions with the intention of understanding, allowing the other person to share their views without feeling pressured. Lastly, the 'validate' stage ensures that all parties feel heard, moving beyond initial disagreement to foster more meaningful conversations.
Understanding Outrage and Its Causes
Outrage emerges when one's moral framework is challenged, particularly when individuals perceive harm being done to others or when their definition of vulnerability is rejected. While moral outrage can sometimes be justified, understanding the motivations behind differing opinions is critical for constructive dialogue. For instance, historical events like the reactions to 9/11 illustrated how collective harm can unite people in outrage, yet it's important to recognize the perspectives of those on the other side of such conflicts. Recognizing the shared humanity in those we disagree with can mitigate outrage and replace it with empathy.
The Importance of Sharing Stories and Moral Humility
Sharing personal stories can be a powerful tool for fostering understanding in disagreements, as they reveal vulnerability and individuality. When engaging with different views, it's essential to be open and allow others to express their beliefs without immediate judgment. Moral humility entails acknowledging that our understanding of complex issues is limited; stepping back to consider the experiences and grievances of others can lead to deeper insights. This can pave the way for more empathetic conversations, where even contentious discussions can be approached with respect and understanding.
Step into the fascinating world of moral psychology with Kurt Gray, professor of psychology and neuroscience at UNC Chapel Hill, who explores the psychology of outrage and moral understanding. As director of the Deepest Beliefs Lab and the Center for the Science of Moral Understanding, Kurt unveils how we can bridge America's deepest divides through his groundbreaking CIV approach - Connect, Invite, and Validate. His new book 'Outrage' challenges us to understand both sides of moral conflicts and find common ground in our shared humanity.
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