Initial Survey Findings Highlight Americans Are Interested In Engaging With Others From Different Backgrounds

New research from More in Common shows, even in our polarizing environment, Americans believe we have a responsibility to connect across differences and are interested in doing so.

November 20, 2023 – Washington D.C. – A recent survey conducted by More in Common reveals a striking reality: 72% of Americans recognize a collective responsibility to foster connections across lines of difference. However, despite this interest, More in Common’s research also points to significant barriers that make it difficult for people to connect.

Given the well-established impact of social connection on personal and community well-being (as recently highlighted in the US Surgeon General’s Advisory on Loneliness), More in Common is leading research to understand who in the US is interested in engaging across difference and why. The goal is to provide insights that can guide community leaders to create solutions that address this pressing societal crisis. These initial findings are the first in a series of studies that will address this question and the topic, “Social Connection Across Lines of Difference in the US,” over the coming months.

Key highlights from the preliminary survey include:

• Collective Responsibility: An overwhelming majority (72%) of Americans agree that we have a responsibility to engage with people who are different from us.
• Norms and Willingness to Connect: Notably, the more people think others in their community are connecting across lines of difference, the more interested they are to also connect.
• Barriers to Connection: When asked what makes interacting with others from different racial, religious or socioeconomic backgrounds challenging, the most cited reason is “lack of opportunity.” Conversely, a feeling of exhaustion (or “lack of energy”) emerges as the primary reason for Americans not to connect across political divides.
• Interest in Engagement Across Difference: A considerable portion of the population express interest in participating in activities that build connections across different groups. Americans express the highest interest in engaging in activities with people of different racial backgrounds, while survey participants have the least interest in engaging in activities with people who have different political views.
  

“Americans are committed to building diverse social connections, but face challenges in navigating a polarized landscape,” says Dan Vallone, Executive Director of More in Common US. “Our research aims to spotlight barriers and unveil pathways for leaders to foster connections that build cohesive vibrant communities, transcending ‘us vs. them’ mentalities.”

These initial findings are from a nationally representative survey of 1,000 Americans fielded in August 2023, and will serve as a foundation for a larger national survey set to launch later this year to further explore this topic. Additionally, with feedback from local stakeholders, More in Common will conduct local research in Pittsburgh, Kansas City and Houston to understand what social connection across difference looks like at a regional level.

A webinar featuring our researchers and experts will delve into a detailed discussion of these findings, the importance of social connection and shed light on our future project plans. The webinar will be held on December 15, click here to sign up.

This research is made possible through funding by the Walmart Foundation. The findings, conclusions and recommendations presented are those of More in Common alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Walmart Foundation.

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About More in Common US
More in Common US is a non-partisan research and civic nonprofit that works to understand the forces driving us apart, find common ground, and bring people together to address our shared challenges.