Peace Psychology Research Articles

Peace psychology in academia: Teaching, research, and social engagement.

Peace psychology in academia: Teaching, research, and social engagement.

The Phenomenon of Male Entitlement and Defense Intervention Through Peace Psychology

Hegemoni masculine yang terbentuk sebagai bagian dari budaya patriarki semakin mengijinkan laki-laki untuk menunjukkan bagaimana domimasi mereka terhadap pihak yang berada pada posisi inferior. Pada dasarnya hegemoni maskulinitas ini juga memberikan beban kepada laki-laki, mereka dituntut untuk berpenampilan, bersikap, bertingkah laku sesuai dengan stereotype gender mereka. Karena tuntunan tersebut mereka jadi memaksakan dan terjerat pada maskulinitas yang kaku. Serta ego yang dimiliki laki-laki karena tuntuntan peran gendernya menjadikan fenomena male entintlement sebagai sesuatu yang dianggap laki-laki adalah haknya untuk mendapatkan seusatu yang diinginkan dan mereka wajar untuk melakukan berbagai cara untuk mendapatkannya berujung pada tindakan kekerasan. Budaya patriarki seolah-olah membenarkan hal yang dilakukan laki-laki benar adanya dan landasan daripada itu untuk mempertahankan posisi walaupun harus mengambil jalan diskriminasi dan kekerasan kepada perempuan juga ikut dibenarkan. Metode yang digunakan untuk menganilisis fenomena ini yaitu dengan metode fenomonologi dengan melihat fenomena riil yang terjadi pada masyararakat yang menunjukkan male entitlement benar-benar tumbuh menjadi bagian kehidupan masyarakat dan dampak pada perempuan.

Political Psychology and Polarisation: A Conceptual Approach

This study, mostly in a theoretical way and through a descriptive textual analysis, aims to give insights into the digital divide within the context of political and media psychology. The article creates new concepts and theories, and relates them to the conflicts on online platforms and tries to present the socio-cultural background that reinforces online polarisation based on new media and communication theories. The article discusses cultural psychology as the main motive for digital polarisation and touches upon online behaviour patterns that are considered as the driving force of rigid politicisation. Starting from this point of view, this conceptual study attempts to answer how the digital divide plays a role as a root cause or intervening factor in conflict and resolution issues and state-society relations. This work then aims to shed valuable light on the dynamics of peace and political psychology in reducing digital polarization and how terms related to socio-cultural psychology like contact theory may increase intimacy and reduce prejudices towards the other which are most likely caused by the echo chambers created on the online platforms. Therefore, this theoretical research, uncovering the potential of peace psychology and drawing upon the relevant existing literature, has important implications for reducing political polarization, the digital divide in other words, on online media platforms which will also help overcome conflicts and discriminations in daily political lives.

Peace-Oriented Mindset and How to Measure it.

This article presents the concept of a Peace-Oriented Mindset (POM), based on peace psychology and the significance of conflict-related context. It highlights the role of preventing conflicts through creating an enabling and peace-supportive milieu, facilitated by individuals with specific peace-oriented capabilities. The phenomenon of POM is analyzed, as well as delineated in the context of the current knowledge in this field. Next, the method used to construct a questionnaire measuring the POM is presented. The POM scale is verified on an N = 1074 representative sample, documenting high reliability. Factor analysis confirms the conjecture that there are three dimensions of the POM: Cognitive, performative, and doability conviction. Moreover, social norms are documented. A cross-segment comparison delivers several insights, e.g., that women have a higher POM level than men and that those who consider themselves leaders or innovators and those who are involved in social activities have a higher POM level than those who do not. The POM concept and scale are valuable resources for identifying future peacebuilders, especially from conflicted communities, as well as for training future youth leaders in the field of peacebuilding. Finally, indications for future studies are discussed, e.g., for verifying the hypothesis that individuals who score high in POM also have higher levels of empathy and compassion.

Award for Distinguished Contributions to the International Advancement of Psychology: Klaus Boehnke.

The Award for Distinguished Contributions to the International Advancement of Psychology is given to individuals who have made sustained and enduring contributions to international cooperation and the advancement of knowledge in psychology. The 2022 recipient of the APA Award for Distinguished Contributions to the International Advancement of Psychology was selected by the 2021 Committee on International Relations in Psychology. The committee is pleased to present the 2022 APA Award for Distinguished Contributions to the International Advancement of Psychology to Klaus Boehnke. Dr. Boehnke is a professor of Social Science Methodology at Jacobs University, Bremen, Germany, and deputy head of the Center for Sociocultural Research at the National Research University Higher School of Economics in Moscow, Russian Federation. He has lived and worked at universities in Singapore, Australia, and Canada, in addition to his native Germany. His scholarship has included substantial contributions in political psychology, peace psychology, the psychology of youth, and innovative methodologies and frameworks for cross-national studies. He works with partners and colleagues around the world. Dr. Boehnke has been instrumental in creating and serving in institutions and organizations that promote cooperation across borders. He has served on boards and as advisor to multiple international groups and committees, including as president of the International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology, one of the most internationally diverse psychological associations worldwide. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

López-López, Wilson, and Laura Taylor, eds. 2021. Transitioning to Peace: Promoting Global Social Justice and Non-violence. Cham: Springer. Peace Psychology Book Series. 328 p.

Frequently, the transition to peace seems impossible for groups affected by collective violence. The search for a peaceful society, where the memory, the victims' suffering, and the perpetrators' responsibilities coexist, requires titanic efforts in multiple dimensions that may seem unattainable. These efforts are the focus of the book “Transitioning to Peace: Promoting Global Social Justice and Non-Violence” edited by two distinguished scholars in the social and political psychology field with contributions from over twenty researchers from all continents

Collective violence and the culture of peace: researching the social psychology of memory and social reconciliation

This monograph aims to disseminate the results of various research studies carried out in the field of social and community psychology. The studies focus on efforts to build a culture of peace in post-conflict contexts and societies that have suffered collective and socio-political violence, with multiple and persistent human rights violations. Six studies on the psychosocial effects of transitional justice rituals from Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, Basque country, Chile, and Ecuador compose this issue. This issue presents a series of results regarding the effects of reparation rituals and Truth Commissions, combining different methods and analysis strategies, including general population surveys, newspaper and social media content analysis, community intervention assessments and qualitative documentary analysis. Finally, two review books were included. First, a Peace Psychology Book that explores the implications and difficulties faced by societies that have experienced large-scale collective violence. Second, the problem of human rights violations and how to confront them, socio-political conflicts and the building of a culture of democracy and peace in Latin America are transversal axes of the chapters of this second book.

Pathways to peace: Character strengths for personal, relational, intragroup, and intergroup peace

ABSTRACT Positive psychology has been largely distant from the substantial science of peace studies. This is unfortunate as the mutual synergy between these fields holds vast opportunity. Misconceptions and obstacles underlying this gap are highlighted, alongside counterpoints for each. The purpose is to lay a foundation for the integration of the science of character strengths and peace psychology, across levels of peace, namely personal/inner peace and relational peace with ramifications for intragroup and intergroup peace. To enhance the understanding of this integration, a convenience sample of 25,302 people was examined. Percentages of the participants’ perceived highest strengths used for building inner peace and relational peace and for managing political/religious conflict were calculated. Examples of respondents’ strategies for using strengths across levels of peace are offered. Among the various findings, perspective, kindness, and honesty were in the top 10 across all three levels. Limitations and future directions for this integration are discussed.

Olympism for humanity theory and praxis: A call for peace and democracy champions of change.

The Olympic Games, the biggest international event, with participants that exceed the number of United Nations’ member states, were initiated as a peace education platform for embracing internationalism, global solidarity, and humanity. The Olympic idea, however, throughout history, was used as a vehicle for militarism, inter-group hatred, propaganda, and supremacy (Lyras, 2020). Despite this paradox, Sport, enriched with the humanistic intentionality of the Olympic idea, combined with established peace and conflict theory, can serve as a peace and democracy platform. The first condition necessary to achieve such objectives is to engage peace psychology researchers and practitioners in evidence-based programs and initiatives that foster internationalism and collective change. In other words, moving away from reductionism and individualism, an alarming trend of contemporary psychology (Moghadam, 2021) and Sport and Olympic Studies mainstream. The aim of this article is to highlight the robust connections and prospects between Sport and Olympism with peace research and practice. This study provides an overview of the most established Sport for Peace theories derived from 30 years of research-based interventions and evidence provided across countries with a long history of conflict. Through this manuscript, peace and social psychology researchers and practitioners will enrich their understanding and perspective of Olympism for Humanity, the integration of peace education, sport, and cultural enrichment as an unconventional tool and an effective democracy actualization and peacebuilding platform. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved) © 2021 American Psychological Association

The Role of the Negative 3-H Trio in Second Language Education.

Language has been proven to strongly affect different aspects on one's life/career including his/her identity and interpersonal communication skills beyond the immediate context. Given this, now proper discourse and interlocutor's emotions are highlighted in academia. However, few studies (if any) have explored the role of negative stressors and constructs in L2 classroom discourse and interpersonal communication competency. To fill this yawning lacuna, the present study provided a glance at the impact of three negative language aspects of hate, hurt, and harm (also called negative 3-H trio) on L2 education. Moreover, it presents the definitions, origins (positive psychology, positive peace psychology), dimensions, and applications of each aspect. Finally, some implications and future directions are suggested to avid scholars in L2 and mainstream education.

Peace psychology and the deadly competition between democracy and dictatorship.

Peace psychology and the deadly competition between democracy and dictatorship.

Supporting peaceful individuals, groups, and societies: Peace psychology and peace education.

In 2020, individuals, societies, and the international community were presented with a myriad of challenges that were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Social bonds were stretched thin, racial inequity was brought to the forefront, and political polarization deepened. This context heightened the need for effective theoretical frameworks, strategies, and understandings of how to support positive and negative peace and build cultures of peace across varied contexts. In this special section, we present a compendium of articles highlighting various ways that psychologists support these efforts through peace education. The section developed in a pre-COVID context from Christie and Wagner's (Handbook on peace education, 2010, Psychology Press) call in this journal for peace psychology to be central to peace education. Although the articles themselves do not directly address COVID-19, the racial pandemic, or political polarization, they offer insights into how the intersection of peace psychology and peace education can be used to promote harmonious relations and societies in a post-2020 world. In this introduction, we define peace education and its connections to peace psychology and then summarize each of the articles in the special section while drawing applications to the challenges that emerged in 2020. The rich and diverse articles in this section discuss innovative approaches to peace education that are designed to promote and maintain cultures of peace. This work must continue and accelerate, and more psychologists must invest in advancing such approaches to enhancing the quality of life of individuals and groups worldwide.

Reconciliation and Peace Opportunity: A Peace Psychology Analysis on Venezuela Crisis

The Venezuela crisis is an intersection between political turmoil, economic crisis, mismanagement of natural resources, poverty, and health issues. The root causes of the crisis can be examined by using a peace psychology analysis, chiefly the concept of moral disengagement. This perspective is useful for looking at the Venezuelan crisis in a different approach and, at the same time, addressing peace efforts. One of the things that need to be pursued by domestic actors and humanitarian intervention is reconciliation. This reconciliation must meet the pre-conditions for the dialogue and peace agenda.

Philippine Framework for Peace: A Conceptual Study

The study aimed to develop a Philippine peace framework in its sociopolitical-psychological perspectives. The international framework of peace with dimensions of substantive, processual, and personal peace values and spheres were used as springboard to describe the Philippine peace. Concepts of positive peace and negative peace emerged in Philippine peace efforts. Library search and document analysis were employed as methods of investigation. Peace philosophy model focused on the peace thinking of the respondents as analyzed by the authors in the literatures reviewed. Peace spheres span from the influence of a universalist to inward-oriented concept of peace; also from individual to group level of human organizations within the nation. In the process of analysis, the acronym DEFERENCE and FIST were formed. Interestingly, deference means “respect” while, in antithesis, the word fist is associated with fight. Literally, deference is a means to avoid fistfight (or may denote any form of fight, for that matter). In the present study, DEFERENCE stands for Discipline and order, Emotional stability/positive affect, Freedom from fear and want, Equality based on social justice, universal Respect, Equitability, Non-direct and structural violence, Care for the environment, Empowerment and stewardship, and education. FIST, on the other, represents Family-oriented values, Interdependence and solidarity, Spirituality and Trust. These peace values comprised the socio-politicalpsychological Philippine peace framework in the educational, organizational and political settings under study.ReferencesAga, N. B. (2019). Culture of peace and organizational commitment of employees from the lens of accreditation and stewardship. Southeast Asian Journal of Educational Management 1 (1).Arcenas, W. P. & Radislao, M. J. (2013). Peace and justice education in a private Catholic college. Development Education Journal on Multidisciplinary Research.Arviola, Jr. S. A. (2008). Community-based peace-building program: The case of Bual zone of peace, Philippines. Asia-Pacific Social Science Review, 8(2), 51-59.Armarlo, E.S. & Maramba, D.A. (Eds.). (1995). Alay sa Kalinaw. UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines.Bernardo, A. B. I., & Ortigas, C. D. (Eds.). (2000). Building peace: Essays on psychology and the culture of peace. De La Sale University Press.Datu, JA. D., Valdez, JP. M., & King, R. B. (2018). Exploring the association between peace of mind and academic engagement: Cross-sectional and cross-lagged panel studies in the Philippine context. J Happiness Stud. 19,1903–1916. https://doi.org/.1007/s10902-017-9902-x Du, E. C., Gamba, C. Z., Chan, S. C., & Cagas, RR. L. (2017). Bangsamoro peace framework agreement and basic law as perceived by the people in Northern Mindanao. Capitol University Press. Progressio Journal on Human Development(2014).8. Ferrer, M. C. (1997). Peace matters: A Philippine peace compendium. UP Center for Integrative and Development Studies Peace, Conflict Resolution and Human Rights Program. Galtung, J. (1967, September). Theories of peace: A synthetic approach to peace thinking. https://www.transcend.org/files/Galtung_Book_unpub_Theories_of_Peace_A_SyntheticApproach_to_PeaceThinking_1967.pdfGogoi, R.(n.d.). Peace: A theoretical framework. https://www.ukessays.com/essays/politics/concepts-peace-2383.phpGutang, A. B. (2013, April). Peace Concept Among the Tri-People in Davao City: Basis for Peace Building Model. Thesis. University of Southeastern University.Macapagal, ME. J.& Galace, J. (2009). Social psychology of People Power II in the Philippines. peace and conflict. Journal of Peace Psychology, 9(3), https://doi.org/10.1207/ s15327949pac0903_3Matsuo, M. (2007). Concept of peace in peace studies: A short historical sketch. https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Concept-of-Peacein-Peace-Studies-%3A-A-Short-Sketch-Matsuo/85b15d3c83bd06d9362ae57554e6061a2e6524baOrtiz, W. P. (2017May). Ang paghahanap ng nalandangan at paghahasik ng kapayapaan para sa bayan. Saliksik E-Journal. 6(1). Departamento ng Filipino at Panitikan ng Pilipinas Unibersidad ng Pilipinas.Roberts, N. (2014March 31). Philippines: Mindanao: The political psychology of peace. 2011 World Development Report on Conflict, Security and Development, Philippine Daily Inquirer.Salazar-Clemena, RM. (2000). Psychology and a culture of peace: Enriching relationships and establishing balance. In A. B. I. Bernardo, &C. D. Ortigas (Eds.), Building peace: Essays on psychology and the culture of peace. De La Sale University Press.Santos, Jr., S. M. (2002). Peace advocate. De La Salle University Press.Yan, M. T. (2000). The dynamics of psychology in the Mindanao peace process. In A. B. I. Bernardo & C. D. Ortigas (Eds.), Building peace: Essays on psychology and the culture of peace. De La Sale University Press.Yu, R. T. (2010). Haraya ng bata: Kapayapaan sa paningin at panulat ng batang Filipino. Malay, 23(1), 149-170

Bringing Together Psychology and Peace: A Critique towards the Emancipatory Potential of Peace Psychology

Historically, psychology has been deeply associated with the defense and active normalization of conflicts, war, and established social orders. For instance, it is well-known that one of the most important grounds for the legitimacy of psychology as a scientific discipline depended on psychologists’ work done during the First and Second World Wars. At those times, and perhaps in a culturally biased way, psychological tests for military selection and practical models to treat war-related problems were widely employed. Psychology gained a practical terrain for professionalization for both clinical and social psychologists within such context. However, psychology has also been used on behalf of emancipation, and not always in the field of conflicts, war, and oppression. One of the most interesting critical movements which has tried to move psychology into an emancipatory realm has been Peace Psychology. In general, this discipline has been open to framing, discussing, and participating actively in interventions developed in the name of peace and human rights. In accordance, in this paper, we seek to capture a) the historical development of peace psychology; b) the establishment of peace psychology as a field of psychology and of peace studies; and c) some reflections upon the omnipresent challenges and possible co-options that may shape the emblematic critical engagement of this discipline.

Tod “Theo” Sloan (1952–2018).

Presents an obituary for Tod "Theo" Sloan (1952-2018). Tod identified as a critical psychologist, trained in developmental psychology, and engaged in psychoanalytic psychology (particularly the social justice aspects), counseling psychology, clinical psychology, peace psychology, and community psychology. As a scholar-activist, he worked for Central American solidarity, peace, local sustainability, and social justice. He authored numerous books, including Life Choices: Understanding Decisions and Dilemmas (1996) and Damaged Life: The Crisis of the Modern Psyche (2016). Tod also cofounded and coedited the Journal for Social Action in Counseling Psychology (2006-2016) and edited Critical Theory and Practice in Psychologyand the Human Sciences from 2005 until his death. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Self-perception and interpersonal peacefulness: the mediating role of theory of mind and harmony

PurposeA wide range of variables, including cognitive, emotional and relational factors, could affect the level of peacefulness. The purpose of this paper is to examine key variables (theory of mind (ToM) and harmony) that mediate the personality trait of peacefulness.Design/methodology/approachThe participants were 182 university students recruited from three universities in Isfahan, Iran. Some different scales were applied in order to measure the intended peace variables.FindingsThe findings demonstrate that ToM, as the ability to attribute mental states, significantly mediates the association between interpersonal peacefulness and inhibition skill, interpersonal peacefulness and conflict resolution abilities, and interpersonal peacefulness and level of aggression. In addition, harmony mediates the relationship between intrapersonal peacefulness, hope, intrapersonal peacefulness and self-compassionate competency.Practical implicationsThese findings indicate that peaceful feelings enable a person to provide more attention to the concerns of others and to relationship issues.Originality/valueThis an original type of study in the field of peace psychology.

Sherri McCarthy (1958-2017).

Presents an obituary for Sherri McCarthy (1958-2017). A Professor of Educational Psychology at Northern Arizona University-Yuma, Sherry was instrumental in establishing their Human Relations Graduate Program. She was a fellow of Division 52 (International Psychology) of the American Psychological Association and active in Divisions 2 (Teaching of Psychology) and 48 (Peace Psychology). Sherri was particularly involved in service-oriented, community-oriented, and humanity-oriented fields of psychology, and was a tireless collaborator on research, educational, and counseling projects around the world. She was a leader and cofounder of the series of international conferences on psychology education that began in St. Petersburg, Russia (2002). Sherri's editorial leadership produced three volumes, Teaching of Psychology Around the World (2007, 2009, 2012). Her commitment to international peace and human rights is well illustrated by her substantial contributions to the Springer Peace series volumes on International Handbook on War, Torture, and Terrorism (2013; as coeditor and chapter author) and International Handbook on Peace and Reconciliation (2013) to which she contributed extensively. (PsycINFO Database Record

Turning psychology against militarism

AbstractThis paper draws on material, mostly from outside psychology, which illustrates the deep rootedness of militarisation in modern culture and the numerous ways in which it permeates civic society. Children, boys especially, learn to value armed conflict. War games are now more realistic, and the distinction between gaming and military training has become blurred. War and deadly weapons are portrayed in unrealistic ways that hide their actual effects. Just war theory, widely subscribed to, justifies armed conflict by proposing that under certain conditions, war can be just with moral rules that apply to the fighting. Many psychologists have worked for the military in one way or another, implicitly or explicitly promoting militarism, and the changing nature of war and armaments is providing further temptations for psychologists to do so. Psychology has been ambivalent about militarism. Peace psychology has not taken an unambiguous position on it, often speaking disparagingly of the absence of war in the absence of social justice, referring to it as “negative peace.” Feminists, often very clear in their opposition to militarism, have sometimes advocated for women to have greater acceptance in the armed forces. The paper concludes by arguing for a more clearly identified Psychology Against Militarism. Community psychology should take a lead in advocating for Psychology Against Militarism because militarism is a good example of how the exercise of power, wreaking widespread harm on us all but especially on those who are already relatively powerless, is collectively legitimised, and hence how we become complicit in supporting it.

Daoism and Peace Psychology

Daoism and Peace Psychology Ron Catabia (bio) The problems of war and violence have plagued the human race since ancient times. Modern peace psychology began when William James, who thought war developed positive qualities such as self-sacrifice and personal honor, said that societies must find a moral equivalent to war (James 1970; Christie et al. 2008). Since James’s speech 110 years ago, psychology has been searching for answers to the question of how to achieve peaceful co-existence between all people in the world. Throughout the 20th century, many ideas and theories were put forth about living in peace. In 1990, peace psychology officially became part of the American Psychological Association (APA) when Division 48, The Society for the Study of Peace, Conflict, and Violence was born. For the last 25 years, Division 48 has legitimatized work for peace. It sends the message that peace psychology needs to be taken seriously. Peace psychology may be defined as the use of psychological concepts, tools, and perspectives for the construction of peace and for the understanding, management, and prevention of destructive conflict at all levels, from the family to the international. Peace refers not only to the absence of organized violence but also to the presence of equity and social justice, tolerance and respect for human rights, reconciliation, and sustainable development. (Wessells 1996, 266) Peace psychology defines two basic forms of violence: direct and structural. Direct violence refers to physical violence that harms or kills people quickly, producing somatic trauma or total incapacitation. Structural violence kills people slowly by depriving them of satisfying their basic needs (Christie et al. 2001, 14-15). War is an example of direct violence. Racism, job discrimination, and political oppression are examples [End Page 164] of structural violence. Peace psychology works on finding solutions for both. Recent peace psychology research found that values of self-transcendence such as concern for the welfare, interests, and well-being of others support human rights (Hackett, Omoto, and Matthews 2015). Universal human rights are due to every person because of their humanity (Weiss and Thakur 2010). The United Nations, in 1948, issued a Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Article 3 states, “Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person” (Boersema 2011). Living in peace is a human right. Human rights and peace are inextricably linked together and permeate all areas of human life (Said and Lerche 2006). The Hackett, Omoto, and Matthews study (2015) also found that the relationship between self-transcendence values and human rights was strengthened by a psychological sense of global community. This is a sense of connectedness to people outside of one’s immediate geographical location and encompasses an identification with all people in the world. Encouraging all people, no matter how different they are, to identify with each other, a psychological sense of global community is fundamental to the overall peace process because it strengthens the relationship between self-transcendence values and human rights. Methods for Peace The main causes of direct violence are differences in race, religion, status, wealth, and political power. These differences can lead to the formation of “us versus them” groups or “ingroup versus outgroup” distinctions (Staub 1989). “Us-them” distinctions form when one group perceives that another has frustrated, or is about to frustrate, some concern of theirs (Christie, Wagner, and Winter 2001, Ch. 17). The ingroup often displays unbalanced emotions such as fear, anger, and frustration toward the outgroup. In addition to creating in-group and out-group distinctions, individuals and groups who perpetrate violence often display psychological characteristics that devaluate and scapegoat victims, believe in an ideology that will create a better world by eliminating the outgroup, seek power over others, and obey authority when told to commit violence (Staub 1989, 16-17). [End Page 165] Peace psychology has developed methods of conflict resolution and conflict transformation to create harmony between different groups. Conflict resolution between groups involved in direct violence begins with the use of nonviolent techniques that avoid dominance or oppression and try to meet the needs of all (Christie et al. 2001, Section 3). Working together, playing together, and living together are used to help people remove “us-them” distinctions...