A Breakdown (and Rebuilding) of Intergroup Dialogue

Objective: We argue the January 6th, 2021, insurrection represents the culmination of a breakdown of intergroup dialogue in the U.S. We further argue that group psychologists and group psychotherapists can help us understand the antecedents and outcomes of this breakdown and provide a productive way forward through fostering and facilitating intergroup dialogue and researching the process and outcomes of this small group intervention. Method: We review research related to some of the antecedents of a breakdown of dialogue across groups in the U.S. (e.g., affective polarization and social media) to highlight a need for more meaningful intergroup contact that reduces political and other identity-based (e.g., racial) segregation and builds intergroup understanding and empathy. Results: We illustrate how intergroup dialogue, a small group intervention, can help begin to address some of the antecedents and consequences of the breakdown in dialogue that preceded the insurrection on a local level. Conclusion: We conclude that group psychologists and group psychotherapists should devote efforts to understanding the process and outcomes of difficult intergroup dialogues (including how to increase participation in these dialogues), and use their group work skills to facilitate these dialogues on a local level. Highlights and Implications * The insurrection on January 6, 2021, highlighted the deep intergroup divisions in the U.S. * Research and theory related to affective polarization and misperceptions of those in our political out-groups suggest that intergroup dialogue has broken down. * Intergroup dialogue provides a means for healing our divisions, and group psychologists and group psychotherapists are in an excellent position to advance the research and practice of political intergroup dialogue.