Embargo Period
5-10-2019
Degree Name
MA in Conflict Transformation
First Advisor
John Ungerleider, Ed.D.
Abstract
This paper explores the current state of political left/right division in the United States and explores the use of Motivational Interviewing in “unfreezing” the two sides of this intractable conflict. The author interviewed four people (two conservatives and two liberals) as well as surveyed over one hundred and fifty respondents in an online survey exploring this theme. While the two sides differ in many ways, the evidence seems to show that both sides overwhelmingly admit that there is a problem, that both sides must get better, and that communication would be easier if both sides practiced more reflective listening. This attitude seems to suggest that Motivational Interviewing could be a useful tool in this context.
Keywords: Motivational Interviewing, intractable conflict, conflict transformation, conflict-supporting repertoire, instigating belief, mediating belief, liberal, conservative, United States
Disciplines
American Politics | Civic and Community Engagement | Models and Methods | Political Science | Politics and Social Change | Social Psychology and Interaction
Recommended Citation
Chevalier, Brian, "Puzzling together: Avenues for applying motivational interviewing to the transformation of intractable, intergroup conflict (U.S. context)." (2019). Capstone Collection. 3160.
https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/capstones/3160
Included in
American Politics Commons, Civic and Community Engagement Commons, Models and Methods Commons, Politics and Social Change Commons, Social Psychology and Interaction Commons