Why we struggle with difference – the rise of black and white thinking
Article for Welldoing.com by Leanne Hoffman – Psychodynamic Psychotherapist and Executive Coach and Organisational Consultant at HealthyMinds@Work
Many people feel that the current social climate has become increasingly toxic and polarised. Disagreements around politics, gender rights, land ownership and cancel culture often escalate quickly into hostility. Positions appear more extreme, and the ability to tolerate difference seems to be shrinking.
History has certainly seen similar periods of division, so it would be simplistic to claim that our moment is uniquely fractured. Yet something does appear to be happening in the way we manage disagreement. Conversations that once might have allowed room for nuance often collapse into rigid “us versus them” positions rather than curiosity about different perspectives.
Psychotherapy offers several insights into why difference can feel so difficult.