Nonattachment, the Quiet Ego & Political Polarization: An Analysis of a Potential Solution to Tribalism in American Society

Abstract

The present study explores the Buddhist view of nonattachment, the Quiet Ego, the current state of polarization in the United States and how a deeper understanding of the relationship between these concepts and societal realities could help lead to a possible reduction in tribalism in American Society. As a first step toward this larger project, this research investigates the relationship between a Buddhist approach to nonattachment and the Quiet Ego. The relationship between nonattachment and a Quiet Ego was measured to determine if fostering nonattachment may be related positively to a more Quiet Ego. Participants 25+ years old (N=88), were recruited online using Amazon Mechanical Turk and completed self-report questionnaires. The results found that Nonattachment was positively correlated to a Quiet Ego. The researcher hopes that these results combined with existing research related to The Quiet Ego and the Psychology behind tribalism and political polarization will encourage further exploration of the connection between these phenomenon and perhaps even potential public health or educational programs aimed at effective reduction of extreme polarization and acute societal conflict.