Template: Perspective-Taking Exercise

Issue/Topic Selection

Issue or topic to explore: _________________________________ Why I selected this issue: _________________________________ My current position or understanding: _______________________

Worldview Factors Analysis

For this exercise, identify how different factors might shape perspectives on this issue:

Cultural Influences

Different cultural values that might affect views on this issue: 1. ________________________________________ 2. ________________________________________ 3. ________________________________________

Socioeconomic Factors

How different economic circumstances might influence perspectives: 1. ________________________________________ 2. ________________________________________ 3. ________________________________________

Information Ecosystems

How different news sources or information environments might shape understanding: 1. ________________________________________ 2. ________________________________________ 3. ________________________________________

Personal Experiences

Types of experiences that might lead to different views: 1. ________________________________________ 2. ________________________________________ 3. ________________________________________

Moral Foundations Mapping

Identify how different moral foundations might be activated by this issue:

Alternative Perspective Development

Select 2-3 perspectives different from your own to explore in depth:

Perspective 1

Core values/concerns: _________________________ Key assumptions: _____________________________ Strongest arguments: _________________________ Potential blind spots: ________________________ How this perspective makes sense given certain experiences/values: _______________

Perspective 2

Core values/concerns: _________________________ Key assumptions: _____________________________ Strongest arguments: _________________________ Potential blind spots: ________________________ How this perspective makes sense given certain experiences/values: _______________

Perspective 3

Core values/concerns: _________________________ Key assumptions: _____________________________ Strongest arguments: _________________________ Potential blind spots: ________________________ How this perspective makes sense given certain experiences/values: _______________

Personal Bias Reflection

My potential biases on this issue: 1. ________________________________________ 2. ________________________________________ 3. ________________________________________

How these biases might limit my understanding: _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________

Bridge-Building Possibilities

Potential shared values across different perspectives: 1. ________________________________________ 2. ________________________________________ 3. ________________________________________

Questions I could ask to better understand different perspectives: 1. ________________________________________ 2. ________________________________________ 3. ________________________________________

Possible common ground or areas of agreement: _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________

Learning Plan

Resources I’ll explore to better understand different perspectives: 1. ________________________________________ 2. ________________________________________ 3. ________________________________________

People with different views I might speak with: 1. ________________________________________ 2. ________________________________________

Reflection

How this exercise has affected my understanding of the issue: _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________

How I might approach conversations on this topic differently now: _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________

Remember: Understanding different perspectives doesn’t mean abandoning your own values or agreeing with every viewpoint. It means developing the capacity to see the human experiences, reasoning, and concerns behind different perspectives—an essential skill for effective civic engagement.