Developing Civility and Connection in Midland, Michigan
Penn collection
Degree type
Discipline
Subject
high quality connections
incivility
loneliness
mattering
positive interventions
positive psychology
social capital
well-being
Civic and Community Engagement
Cognitive Psychology
Community Psychology
Interpersonal and Small Group Communication
Leadership Studies
Other Communication
Other Psychology
Peace and Conflict Studies
Political Science
Politics and Social Change
Psychology
Social Influence and Political Communication
Social Psychology
Social Psychology and Interaction
Sociology
Funder
Grant number
License
Copyright date
Distributor
Related resources
Contributor
Abstract
Growing loneliness and incivility are on the rise across America. In Midland, Michigan, civic leaders desire to further infuse positive psychology into their community by enhancing positive citizenship through civil discourse and connection. They have identified this need after instances in their community where citizens have engaged in discourteous and unproductive speech. Informed by current psychological research, our team proposes improving civil discourse and increasing positive connections in Midland through holding community discussions using a Communication and Connections Discussion Guide. Community leaders will be trained as facilitators to lead discussions using the Discussion Guide with various groups of any type and size in Midland. We believe the citizens of Midland can and will learn to constructively engage with their fellow citizens for enhanced communities and a better future. We have every confidence that Midland leaders will persist until every sector in the community has been illuminated with the message of hope, warm communication, and strong connections offered by these principles and practices of well-being.