seven evidence-based strategies that can guide community leaders, stakeholders, and individuals to foster greater connection across lines of difference in their communities. Strategies include: • Provide more opportunities for connection • Increase the perception that connecting across difference is the “community norm” • Foster feelings of local... See more

Community norms—shared beliefs about how common and valued connecting across difference is within one’s community—is the strongest predictor of interest. When individuals believe that their community values, and frequently practices, connecting across difference, they are more likely to show interest in doing so themselves. • Intergroup anxiety—the... See more

The most common reason Americans give for not interacting more with people from different backgrounds is a “lack of opportunity.” This suggests that many Americans may simply not have the chance to interact more because features of their circumstances prevent it. Some (although fewer) say bridging connection simply isn’t a priority for them. Others... See more

These factors are more predictive of interest than demographic characteristics, suggesting that psychological factors may play a more significant role than identity in shaping people’s approach to connection

people report that they want to have experiences with others that focus on common goals and shared interests. They also want these interactions to come from a place of mutual respect and understanding.

the mere fact that a region is racially and ethnically diverse does not automatically mean that people are interacting more across lines of difference, or that they want to. 78 There also needs to be infrastructure and programming that helps to facilitate interactions across difference, and a culture of connection that helps to bolster such... See more

Americans, on average, are most interested in working across lines of difference to achieve a mutual goal that improves their community (compared to other types of bridging activities).

“What unites everybody around Pittsburgh is the sports. Sports unites a lot of people from all different areas around the city that meet up at that sports stadium.” — Charlie, a 64-year-old politically unaffiliated white woman from Pittsburgh

“The first thing I did that was fun when I got to Kansas City was go to a music festival. I think it was either jazz or like a Caribbean festival, and it was full of all types of people...So I think music brings us together.” — Andres, 57-year-old conservative Latino man from Kansas City “It just seems the whole community really rallies around... See more