Study: Abortion-Rights and Anti-Abortion Groups Share Some Values.

AScribe Health News Service, January, 2006

Byline: University of Florida

GAINESVILLE, Fla., Jan. 25 (AScribe Newswire) -- People with strong views on abortion and other controversial issues tend to exaggerate differences of opinion they have with their opponents, a new University of Florida study finds.

The research shows that the middle ground can be reached on intellectual terms but often is not because individuals view their opponents' arguments as attacks upon their core values and therefore themselves, said John Chambers, a UF psychology professor.

"Members of partisan social groups often view their adversaries with suspicion, distrust and outright animosity," said Chambers, whose study appears in this month's issue of Psychological Science. "It is not unusual to hear loyal...

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