While being able to talk about group tensions is an important skill, and necessary for social repair, slightly greater proportions of Americans expressed interest in attending bridging activities when framed as opportunities to work together towards a mutual goal (as mentioned above). When people are working together, cross-group interaction... See more

The most common reason Americans give for not interacting more with people from different backgrounds is a “lack of opportunity.” • About a quarter of Americans, on average, say that a “lack of opportunity” prevents them from connecting more across all lines of difference (race/ethnicity: 28 percent, politics: 21 percent, socioeconomic status: 30... See more

Creating more spaces for people to work together and solve community problems v —and incentivizing engagement in these spaces by removing barriers to entry—could be an important way to engage more Americans in all forms of bridging behavior.

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

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

“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

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).

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

The discrepancy between interest and engagement for “working to achieve a mutual goal” is likely reflective of the fact that this behavior often requires intentional coordination, resourcing, and planning.