Moral Worlds Apart

Description

Political conflict often feels personal, but it’s rooted in deeper psychological patterns. We’ll explore Moral Foundations Theory, which outlines how people prioritize values like care, loyalty, and authority in different ways. We’ll examine how these foundations shape political identity, spark emotional reactions, and drive cultural and ideological divides – and how to recognize moral language in everyday discourse to communicate across the divide.

Focus area:

Polarization & Communication

Program Details

1 week

Outcome

Understand how moral values shape political communication and disagreement

1-2 weeks

Psychological Foundations

🧠 Moral Foundations Theory (Haidt et al.)

🧠 Theory of Basic Human Values

🧠 Psychology of Political Ideology

3 week

Key Takeaways

☑️ Learn how moral differences fuel divison

☑️ Identify the six core moral foundations and how they map across ideologies

☑️ Recognize emotionally charged moral language in political speech

☑️ Practice ways to engage across moral divides

3 week

Choose this when

You’re navigating value clashes

Conversations are stuck in fundamental moral disagreement, not factual dispute

4 week

Great for

NGOs

‍Who want to craft messages that resonate across moral foundations – not just reinforce in-group values

Comms and Campaign Teams

‍Seeking ways to create emotionally resonant content without alienating or escalating moral opposition

Journalists

‍Looking to understand how value-based language frames narratives of belonging, betrayal, or fear

Political Campaigners

‍Who want students and audiences to grasp how moral values – not just facts – shape political judgment and division

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Description

Program Details

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