Description:

Title: Point Taken: A Gamified Intervention That Creates Enlightened Disagreements

By Steven Franconeri, Professor of Psychology, Director of the Northwestern Cognitive Science Program, Professor of Design and of Management and Organizations (by courtesy), and IPR Associate

Abstract:

Should we drop standardized testing for college or PhD admissions? Allow athletes to join teams based on gender identity? When public and organizational policies bind behavior, human coexistence requires a system for deciding a collective policy. Because individuals and like-minded groups have incomplete information, constrained strategies, and biased perspectives, thoughtful debate on those policies is critical. Unfortunately, those debates too often degrade into chaotic fights. Point Taken provides a scalable solution by translating best practices in conflict resolution and critical thinking into a structured dialogue that can be learned and played in 30 minutes. 

In this interactive session, audience members will *play* a short game to feel its effects. Players will pre-commit to mutual respect, honest reasoning, and shared facts, before choosing a topic. Dialogue then unfolds slowly, thoughtfully, and calmly, through chains of short-written reasons and responses.

The researchers have tested the game extensively in schools and organizations and conducted a formal pilot study. Both show powerful improvements in the tone and quality of debate, across longstanding strongly held disagreements. Franconeri will give background on best practices for enlightened disagreement, show how they translate to the game, ask the audience to play a round, and then ask for advice on next steps.

This event is part of the Fay Lomax Cook Winter 2026 Colloquium Series, where our researchers from around the University share their latest policy-relevant research.

Please note all colloquia this quarter will be held in-person only.