People overestimate their political opponents' acceptance of basic moral wrongs, fueling partisan divides. Correcting this misperception reduces hostility and encourages more willingness to engage across political lines.

A large study has found that individuals with greater cognitive ability are less likely to endorse moral values such as compassion, fairness, loyalty, and purity. The results point to a consistent negative relationship between intelligence and moral intuitions.

A new study in Public Opinion Quarterly shows that moral arguments appealing to care and fairness can persuade both liberals and conservatives in the United States. By contrast, arguments grounded in the “binding” moral foundations – loyalty…