Contents
  1. I. Introduction (20m)
  2. II. Pillar One: Listen Differently (15m)
  3. III. Pillar Two: Go Beneath the Problem (20m)
  4. IV. Pillar Three: Embrace Complexity (25m)
  5. V. Pillar Four: Counter Confirmation Bias (15m)
  6. VI. Conclusion (15m)
Resources

Complicating the Narratives Toolkit

The 22 Questions

Here are four kinds of interview prompts to “complicate the narrative” - 22 curious questions designed to draw out more meaningful responses and respectfully challenge stereotypes.

AMPLIFY CONTRADICTIONS & WIDEN THE LENS

  • "What is dividing us on this issue?"
  • "How do you decide which information to trust?"
  • "What is oversimplified about this issue?"
  • "Where do you feel torn?"
  • "Is there any part of the [other side's] position that makes sense to you?"

ASK QUESTIONS THAT GET TO PEOPLE’S MOTIVATIONS

  • "Why is this important to you?"
  • "Which experiences have shaped your views?"
  • "What do you want the other side to understand about you?”
  • "What do you want to understand about the other side?”
  • "How has this conflict affected your life?"
  • "What would change in your life if more people agreed with your stance?"
  • "What would it be like if people didn’t agree with your stance?”

LISTEN MORE AND BETTER

  • "Tell me more about that.”
  • "How do you feel, telling this story?"
  • "Where does that (feeling, emotion, paranoia, distrust) come from?"
  • "Can I interrupt you? I want to make sure I have everything right.”
  • "What’s the question nobody’s asking?"

EXPOSE PEOPLE TO THE OTHER TRIBE & COUNTER CONFIRMATION BIAS

  • "What do you think the other group thinks of you?”
  • "What do you think the other group wants?”
  • "What do you already know, and what do you want to understand, about the other side?”
  • "Help me make sense of this. Because a lot of other people are saying “X”...
  • "Is there anything about how the media portrays you or people with your views that feels inaccurate?”

Introduction

Interview Using Looping and the 22 Questions