Associations between inclusivity norms and tolerance, contact, and cooperation amid polarization: Evidence from 12 European countries
Sharp disagreements about social issues have raised concerns about increasing societal polarization in democracies worldwide. While diversity of opinion is vital for democratic engagement and can promote innovative solutions, social science research shows that such disagreements can undermine social cohesion and erode social trust if they turn into identity-based conflicts. The present research examines the potential importance of social norms that promote equality-based respect, dialogue, and unity (inclusivity norms) in mitigating these negative outcomes. In a pre-registered representative survey of 12,041 individuals in twelve European countries, we find that perceived inclusivity norms are associated with increased tolerance, greater willingness to collaborate, and lower tendencies to avoid people who hold opposing opinions. In most countries studied, this pattern holds among respondents who strongly disapprove of the opposing viewpoint, endorse anti-pluralist opinions, hold anti-egalitarian preferences, and identify more strongly with their opinion-based group relative to society. These findings support the potential of inclusivity norms to preserve social trust and cohesion amid opinion diversity.
Authors
- Katerina Petkanopoulou (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0439-8987)
- Eva Jaspers (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8589-5899)
- Maor Shani (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5301-5332)
- Nicole Tausch (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9471-0673)
- Maria‐Therese Friehs (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5897-8226)
- Francesca Prati (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3639-8631)
- Alejandro Ciordia (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6586-924X)
- Jan-Willem Simons (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3341-5320)
- Maarten van Zalk (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0185-8805)
- Mikael Hjerm (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4203-5394)
- Anna Potoczek (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3293-249X)
- Sarina J. Schäfer (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1159-111X)
- Inga Jasinskaja‐Lahti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6419-5324)
- Dominika Gurbisz (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9691-1524)
- Lucía Estevan‐Reina (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4724-3969)
- Miranda J. Lubbers (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8398-6044)
- Lynn Schäfer (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6617-4199)
- Anna Kende (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5148-0145)
- Sylvie Graf (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7810-5457)
- Wilma Marie Middendorf
- Oliver Christ (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4022-9278)
- Marcin Bukowski (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7130-4066)
- Chloé Lavest (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-2725-6193)
- Jil Ullenboom
Publication Details
- Published
- 2025-11-26
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/9gh6k_v2
- Primary Topic
- Social and Intergroup Psychology
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00