Lentera Demokrasi: Jurnal Ilmu Sosial, Politik, Hukum, Ekonomi dan Pemerintahan
Vol. 1 No. 4 (2025)

Curiosity as a Depolarization Strategy: Political Discourse, Group Identity, and the Ethics of Listening in Contemporary Democracy

Hudallah Hudallah (Faculty of Ushuluddin, IAI Ma'arif Darul Fikri Indramayu)
Rifqi Rifqi (Universitas Darul Ma'arif Indramayu)



Article Info

Publish Date
25 Dec 2025

Abstract

This article aims to analyze the role of curiosity as a psychological and ethical strategy in overcoming political polarization and enhancing the quality of democratic discourse. This study employs a qualitative method with a literature review approach, analyzing recent empirical findings from political psychology—specifically the research of Todd Kashdan and colleagues—as well as theoretical reflections on public discourse and the ethics of listening. The results of the study indicate that the primary barrier in cross-partisan political conversation is not merely differences in viewpoints, but rather misunderstandings regarding the level of intellectual openness within one’s own group (in-group misperception). Curiosity is proven to be positively associated with openness, intellectual humility, and reduced social distance between political groups. Furthermore, simple psychological interventions that correct perceptions of internal group norms are capable of increasing curiosity and the quality of political interaction. This article concludes that curiosity and the practice of empathetic listening are essential foundations for depolarization and the strengthening of discourse ethics in contemporary democracy.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

i

Publisher

Subject

Religion Economics, Econometrics & Finance Law, Crime, Criminology & Criminal Justice Social Sciences

Description

Lentera Demokrasi, Jurnal Ilmu Sosial, Politik, Hukum, Ekonomi dan Pemerintahan is a peer reviewed academic journal published by Penerbit Hellow Pustaka in Collaboration with Faculty of Social and Political Sciences Wiralodra University. This journal published four times a year that delves into ...