Abstract

Animosity between opposing political parties is longstanding, but the phenomenon is now acutely pervasive and dangerous. Today, polarization is further fueled by social media algorithms that create echo chambers, limiting discourse about diverse viewpoints. Consequently, polarization has become pernicious and threatens the founding principles of American democracy. This dissertation considers the roles of free speech, civility, and social capital in the US polarization problem. Through an exploration of historical scholarship on virtue, ethics, and civility, the study seeks to identify actionable tools for promoting civil discourse. The dissertation investigates Generation Z (Gen Z), focusing on intergenerational differences, the role of social media, and the current political climate in academia. Gen Z, born between 1997 and 2012, has a powerful influence on popular culture and sociopolitical issues. Although Gen Z has not been widely studied, research data indicates that they differ markedly from their predecessors in their political and social attitudes. Additionally, as digital natives, Gen Z’s relationship to technology affects their discourse dynamics. This case study is grounded in two primary theoretical approaches: social identity theory, which posits that human beings derive a sense of identity from group affiliations, and an amalgamation of communication theories; and systems theory provides a perspective for understanding democratic systems and discourse dynamics. The study is guided by two research questions to understand whether civil discourse can be depolarizing. RQ1: What discourse patterns emerge when Gen Z members engage in respectful dialogue about polarizing topics? RQ2: How does engagement in respectful dialogue impact Gen Z’s preconceived social attitudes? The study draws on data from an online survey, a facilitated dialogue among 26 college students, and 19 individual interviews. The analysis employs epistemic network analysis, a quantitative ethnography tool that highlights patterns and relationships between themes to identify and quantify the salience of and interconnections among constructs. It also employs reflexive thematic analysis, which involves systematically identifying and interpreting patterns or themes within data. Three prominent findings emerge from the study, the most significant of which is that subjects unanimously reported changes in their attitudes, beliefs, or behaviors after participating in the civil discourse intervention.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Polarization (Social sciences)—United States; Social media — Political aspects — United States; Generation Z — Political activity — United States

Date of Award

2025

School Affiliation

Graduate School of Education and Psychology

Department/Program

Education

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctorate

Faculty Advisor

Eric Hamilton

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