Culture Wars: Explaining Congressional Partisanship and Organizational Dysfunction Through Moral Foundations Theory Jessica H
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Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2016 Culture Wars: Explaining Congressional Partisanship and Organizational Dysfunction Through Moral Foundations Theory Jessica H. Wilson-Hart Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Organizational Behavior and Theory Commons, Political Science Commons, and the Psychology Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Social and Behavioral Sciences This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Jessica Wilson-Hart has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Jay Greiner, Committee Chairperson, Psychology Faculty Dr. Bonnie Nastasi, Committee Member, Psychology Faculty Dr. Barbara Chappell, University Reviewer, Psychology Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2016 Abstract Culture Wars: Explaining Congressional Partisanship and Organizational Dysfunction Through Moral Foundations Theory by Jessica Wilson-Hart MA, Lewis and Clark College, Portland, OR, 1994 BS, University of Warwick, Coventry, England, 1987 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Organizational Psychology Walden University April 2016 Abstract The focus of this study was the organizational working environment and existing partisanship evident in the United States Congress. There has been a reduction in the number of laws passed over the last 30 years from a high of over 1,000 to a low of around 120, with a period of complete government shutdown in 2013. This qualitative research utilized qualitative content analysis to discover the nature of partisan conflict as demonstrated by 6 members of Congress. The conceptual framework for this study was moral foundations theory. Different moral principles held by Democrats and Republicans were studied as a possible explanation for the inability of one end of the political spectrum to identify with, work with, and comprehend the belief systems of the other. Archival video data for each participant was viewed on C-Span and related transcripts were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Emerging themes were then inductively coded in order to understand the nature of the partisan conflict in Congress. Results demonstrate that Republicans and Democrats rely on different sets of moral foundations and that there is limited crossover between those who occupy the extreme ends of the ideological continuum. This lack of crossover essentially leads members with differing ideology and moral foundations to not comprehend the moral message of their opponents. With this knowledge, political strategists can help to develop communication and political approaches that take into consideration the moral foundations of ideological opponents. Social change implications include improved understanding of the ideological stance of members of the opposing party and improved working relationships in Congress, resulting in an organizational working environment that is less conflicted. Culture Wars: Explaining Congressional Partisanship and Organizational Dysfunction Through Moral Foundation Theory by Jessica Wilson-Hart MA, Lewis and Clark College, Portland, OR, 1994 BS, University of Warwick, Coventry, England, 1987 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Organizational Psychology Walden University April 2016 Dedication This dissertation is dedicated to all of those in my family who have encouraged me to pursue my dreams, who have offered guidance, love and support along the way and who have never given up on me reaching the finish line. Additionally, to my dearest of friends who have continued to have faith in my ability to climb this mountain. I love and thank you all. Ultimately, none of this would be possible without my hero Brien Howard. Thank you for risking your life in order to save mine – you truly are my guardian angel. In loving memory of Larry Hart and Kodi. Acknowledgments I would like to acknowledge all of those individuals in my life who have been directly involved in facilitating my educational success. Originally, as a result of my high school psychology teacher Debra Murray, then subsequently due to the awesome staff in the Department of Psychology at the University of Warwick, England, I developed my initial love and understanding of the field of psychology. This was greatly broadened and deepened with the sound academic guidance of the Master’s faculty at Lewis and Clark College, Portland, OR. I would like to acknowledge, in particular, Dr. Donald Mihaleow, who had the most significant impact on the trajectory of my academic career. Without his brilliant teaching style, wit, understanding and guidance I would not have found and adopted the “voice” I currently employ in my writing. He inspired a depth of thought and creativity that I had not known I possessed. I will also be eternally grateful to him for his willingness to write a fabulous letter of recommendation during my PhD application process and to then offer wonderful advice and encouragement at a challenging stage during this endeavor. My time at Walden has provided me with a superb, high quality education grounded in critical thinking, a clear understanding of the research process, professional ethics and the admirable objective for each graduate to effect positive social change. This has given me the tools I need to be successful in any professional role after graduation. However, without the expert guidance of my dissertation chair, Dr. Jay Greiner, this would not have come to fruition. Dr. Greiner exemplifies the qualities of the perfect mentor. He believed in the importance of my study and encouraged me to pursue my chosen direction for this research. He unbundled the dissertation process into a series of distinct, achievable goals, while simultaneously ensuring that I referred back to my problem statement, purpose and research questions often. He took a mountain and broke it into surmountable boulders, reminding me when to slow down and tread carefully and when to speed up and reach the next goal. He was eternally understanding and kind and his persistent sense of humor made this process an incredibly positive, profound and life- altering experience. I am sincerely grateful for his guidance in helping me to reach the finish line. Thank you also to the rest of my dissertation committee, including Dr. Bonnie Nastasi, Dr. Barbara Chappell, Dr. Robin Friedman and Dr. Antonio Santonastasi for all their wonderful suggestions and support. It has been a pleasure working with each and every one of you. Dr. Nastasi, your methodology guidance has made a huge difference to my study. You have assisted me in successfully navigating the subtleties of conducting qualitative research and have offered me suggestions that have helped me to produce a far superior final study. Thank you for this knowledgeable and essential help. Table of Contents List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... vi List of Figures ................................................................................................................... vii Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1 Background ....................................................................................................................4 Problem Statement .........................................................................................................7 Purpose of the Study ......................................................................................................9 Research Questions ......................................................................................................10 Conceptual Framework ................................................................................................11 Nature of the Study ......................................................................................................13 Definitions....................................................................................................................13 Assumptions .................................................................................................................14 Scope and Delimitations ..............................................................................................15 Limitations ...................................................................................................................16 Significance..................................................................................................................17 Summary ......................................................................................................................18 Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................20 Introduction ..................................................................................................................20