Identity-Centered Conflicts, Authority, and Dogmatism: Challenges for the Design of Social Studies Curriculum

Abstract

One of the greatest challenges to a peace education curriculum is preparing young people to deal with conflicts over issues central to identity. These kinds of conflict can threaten beliefs derived from authority and, accordingly, may be characterized by cognitive rigidity. Various factors central to constructive conflict resolution are problematic for conflicts that threaten identity. Specifically, teaching critical-rational-logical thinking about identity conflicts may create public backlash. Attempts to activate empathic concern across us-them cultural divides are exceedingly difficult. Creating altruistic trust for dealing with others across the us-them cultural divide is problematic. These are issues that social education research can address.