Americans seem awfully divided these days. Everywhere I look, I see signs of antagonism and conflict between groups—and many politicians seem intent on making it worse. Whether it’s presidential nominee Hillary Clinton calling Trump supporters “deplorables,” or President Trump referring to Mexican immigrants as rapists and murderers, their words demonstrate contempt for others, fueling distrust and divisiveness. Perhaps that’s why a recent USA Today poll revealed that many voters consider their political opponents to be hateful, stupid, or racist.
What are the solutions? There are many, no doubt, but here’s one to consider: moral elevation. That’s the “warm, uplifting feeling that people experience when they see unexpected acts of human goodness, kindness, courage, or compassion,” according to psychologist Jonathan Haidt, now the Thomas Cooley Professor of Ethical Leadership at the NYU-Stern School of Business.