Our political divides and social identities

Social psychologist Keith Payne on political polarization and why it's so hard to bridge the divide.

Air Date: February 20, 2026 12:00 pm

Supporters of President Donald Trump rally at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. As a winter storm bore down on the nation's capital four years later, lawmakers would again gather at the U.S. Capitol, this time without protests, challenges or violence — but behind layers of black security fencing serving — to certify Trump's 2024 win over Vice President Kamala Harris. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Political polarization is tearing the country apart with partisans viewing the other side in increasing personal terms, as immoral or evil. There have always been deep disagreements and conflicts in America but as we get ready to celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary it feels as if democracy itself is on the line.

Psychologist Keith Payne argues that few of us hold a fully coherent or consistent political ideology. Instead, its our social identities — our sense of belonging to particular groups — that often shape our belief system.

In his book Good Reasonable People, Payne explores why today’s divide is so hard to understand and to bridge: nearly everyone believes they are a good, reasonable person acting in good faith.

Keith Payne joins us to examine the roots of political polarization and the steps it might take to find common ground.

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