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Grant History
PEACE Grant

Can emotional acceptance promote political action? Leveraging contemplative science to promote positive social action

Brett Ford, Allison Troy
Topics: Social Change | Stress & Resilience

In today’s contentious political climate, we must identify pathways that promote positive social action. Collective political action (e.g., voting, volunteering), in particular, can powerfully shape society for the better – but what can individuals do to promote collective action? We propose that the contemplative strategy of emotional acceptance should allow individuals to harness the power of their emotional responses to political events and engage in productive forms of action. Three studies will test our hypotheses: Study 1 examines whether emotional acceptance predicts greater day-to-day motivation to engage in collective action in geographically, demographically, and politically-diverse U.S. adults. Study 2 examines whether emotional acceptance predicts greater collective action within liberal grassroots organizers. Study 3 examines whether a laboratory intervention can increase acceptance and, in turn, engagement in collective action. Together, these studies will significantly expand our scientific and practical understanding of how contemplative strategies can promote positive social change.

Brett Ford, PhD

University of Toronto

Grantee

Dr. Brett Ford is the director of the Affective Science & Health Laboratory at the University of Toronto. She received her Ph.D. in social-personality from the University of California, Berkeley … MORE

Allison Troy, PhD

Franklin & Marshall College

Grantee

Allison Troy is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology at Franklin & Marshall College. She received her BA in Psychology from North Carolina State University, and her MA … MORE

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Mind & Life Institute
  • About
    • Mission and Values
    • Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
    • 35 Years
    • Strategy
    • History
    • People
    • Careers
    • Contact
  • Events
    • Dialogues and Conversations
    • Summer Research Institute
    • Mind & Life Connect
    • Inspiring Minds
  • Grants
    • Varela Grants
    • PEACE Grants
    • Contemplative Changemaking Grants
    • Awards
    • Mentoring
  • Online Learning
    • Insights Essays
    • Mind & Life Podcast
    • Online Courses
    • Digital Dialogues
    • Academic Papers
  • Media
    • Blog
    • Documentaries
    • Books
    • Videos
  • Support
    • Why Give
    • Ways to Give
    • Annual Reports
  •