From destructive to constructive conversations between groups in conflict: Cultural, ideological, ethnonational, religious and linguistic aspects

Abstract: Fostering interaction between holders of opposing views is often considered an important way to counteract intergroup stereotypes and defuse conflict. Some such interactions are indeed constructive—but, on the other hand, many of these interactions devolve into destructive dialogues that only serve to deepen conflict. In this panel we will consider examples of constructive and destructive interactions between holders of opposing views side by side—hoping to shed light on the various factors that differentiate conflicts that spiral out of control from those that find a more productive way towards resolution. We take a multidisciplinary and multimethod approach, considering factors ranging from the cultural, ideological, and religious aspects of the conflict to the very words that are spoken in conflictual conversations.

Keywords: Intergroup conflict, intergroup contact, Israeli-Palestinian conflict, negotiations