Controlled study of 380 high school students finds exchanging stories reduces affective polarization and promotes empathy. The longitudinal, controlled study tested the efficacy of a storytelling intervention in five diverse Kentucky school districts, in partnership with global nonprofit organization Narrative 4, which uses storytelling to promote social change. The study compared the experiences and perspectives of students who took part in this storytelling intervention to peers in a control group. Compared to students in the control group, the study found that students who participated in the storytelling intervention experienced the following key benefits:Intervention participants experienced reduced political polarization, with affective polarization toward political opponents decreasing by 4.37%. Those who participated in the storytelling intervention gained empathy not only toward their classmates (+13.30%), but also toward people in their communities who are different from themselves (+10.62%).

Source: The Herald February 24, 2026 19:47 UTC