Crossing Divides: How to survive tough conversations

Are we really listening to one another? Are divisive politics and social media bubbles making us deaf to other people's opinions?

A number of academic studies have examined how people with wildly differing views can come to understand each other's perspectives.

Our step-by-step guide suggests ways of successfully listening to opponents to avoid disagreements.

It draws on theories by Stephan Lucks, from Oxford business psychology firm Pearn Kandola, Dr Alex Gillespie, of the psychological and behavioural science department at London School of Economics, and Dr Kris De Meyer, of King's College London's psychology and neuroscience department.

Illustrations: Alice Grenié