What Motivates People to Engage in Bridge Building?

Research has shown that people are often motivated to engage in bridge building across moral and political differences in four basic ways:

To Avoid Harm – Some people are mostly motivated to reduce negative outcomes of toxic polarization;
To Seek Solutions – Some people seek ideal positive outcomes through depolarization;
By Getting it Right – Some people want to evaluate the best way to achieve depolarization before acting;
By Just Getting it Done – Other people prefer to just get going – to move forward to "get it done."

Four Basic Types of Motives

Studies have found that people with stronger levels of each of these four motivational mindsets are more likely to engage in bridging activities - but only when the activities are framed in ways consistent (fitting) versus inconsistent (non-fitting) with their stronger motives.

In order to enhance levels of engagement with your bridge-building activities, take the following steps:

1. Employ these 4 short surveys (3 items each = total of 12 items) to measure the mindsets of potential participants by including them in your intake surveys (on your website or in your recruitment materials).

Avoiding Harm - Promotion Motivational Mindset

To what extent does each statement increase your willingness to engage in bridging activities to unite the country? (6-point scale from “Not at all” to “Extremely”)

Bridging divides in our community will ensure a better future for the following generations.

Not at all	Very little	Somewhat	Moderately	Very much	Extremely

Bridging divides in our community will enhance everyone’s health and well-being.

Not at all	Very little	Somewhat	Moderately	Very much	Extremely

Bridging divides in our community will bring greater economic prosperity to the area.

Not at all	Very little	Somewhat	Moderately	Very much	Extremely

Seeking Solutions - Prevention Motivational Mindset

To what extent does each statement increase your willingness to engage in bridging activities to unite the country? (6-point scale from “Not at all” to “Extremely”)

The increasing number of Americans killed or injured in political conflict has to end.

Not at all	Very little	Somewhat	Moderately	Very much	Extremely

I don’t want my family members and loved ones to die or be harmed for any political cause.

Not at all	Very little	Somewhat	Moderately	Very much	Extremely

The more militant and extreme members of my own community make matters worse.

Not at all	Very little	Somewhat	Moderately	Very much	Extremely

Getting it Right - Assessment Motivational Mindset

To what extent do you agree with each statement? (6-point scale from “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree”)

I often feel that I am being evaluated by others.

Strongly Disagree	Disagree	Somewhat Disagree	Somewhat Agree	Agree	Strongly Agree

I often critique work done by myself or others.

Strongly Disagree	Disagree	Somewhat Disagree	Somewhat Agree	Agree	Strongly Agree

I am often very self-critical and self-conscious about what I am saying.

Strongly Disagree	Disagree	Somewhat Disagree	Somewhat Agree	Agree	Strongly Agree

Just Getting it Done - Locomotion Motivational Mindset

To what extent do you agree with each statement? (6-point scale from “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree”)

I am a “doer.”

Strongly Disagree	Disagree	Somewhat Disagree	Somewhat Agree	Agree	Strongly Agree

I am a “go-getter.”

Strongly Disagree	Disagree	Somewhat Disagree	Somewhat Agree	Agree	Strongly Agree

I enjoy actively doing things, more than just watching and observing.

Strongly Disagree	Disagree	Somewhat Disagree	Somewhat Agree	Agree	Strongly Agree

2. Create 4 sets of promotional materials that frame your bridge-building activities in the following 4 ways:

4 Bridge Building Motivation Mindsets

3. Based on participants' scores, categorize them into one of the 4 categories (A, B, C, D)

4. Finally, offer each participant informational materials framed in a manner most consistent with their strongest mindset (A, B, C, D).

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