Peace psychology

Peace psychology is a subfield of psychology and peace research that deals with the psychological aspects of peace, conflict, violence, and war. Peace psychology can be characterized by four interconnected pillars: (1) research, (2) education, (3) practice, and (4) advocacy.^[1] The first pillar, research, is documented most extensively in this article.

Peace psychological activities are based on psychological models (theories) and methods; they are usually normatively bound in their means and objectives by working towards the ideal of sustainable peace using nonviolent means. Violence and peace can be defined in terms of Johan Galtung's extended conceptualization of peace,^[2]^[3] according to which peace is not merely the absence of personal (direct) violence and war (= negative peace), but also the absence of structural (indirect) and cultural violence (= positive peace).^[4] The ideal of peace can also be conceptualized as the comprehensive implementation of human rights (civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights); this should, among other purposes, ensure the satisfaction of basic human needs, such as positive personal and social identity, sense of control, security, (social) justice, well-being, a safe environment, and access to adequate food and shelter.^[5]

^ See http://www.peacepsych.org/peace-resources.htm
^ Galtung, J. (1969). Violence, peace, and peace research. Journal of Peace Research, 6 (3), 167-191.
^ Galtung, J. (1990). Cultural violence. Journal of Peace Research, 27 (3), 291-305.
^ Christie, D. J., Wagner, R. V., & Winter, D. D. (2001). Introduction to peace psychology. In D. J. Christie, R. V. Wagner, & D. D. Winter (Eds.), Peace, conflict, and violence: Peace psychology for the 21st century (pp. 1-13). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
^ Tropp, L. R. (2012). Understanding and responding to intergroup conflict: Toward an integrated analysis. In L. R. Tropp (Ed.), The Oxford handbook of intergroup conflict (pp. 3-10). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

[1] See http://www.peacepsych.org/peace-resources.htm

[2] Galtung, J. (1969). Violence, peace, and peace research. Journal of Peace Research, 6 (3), 167-191.

[3] Galtung, J. (1990). Cultural violence. Journal of Peace Research, 27 (3), 291-305.

[4] Christie, D. J., Wagner, R. V., & Winter, D. D. (2001). Introduction to peace psychology. In D. J. Christie, R. V. Wagner, & D. D. Winter (Eds.), Peace, conflict, and violence: Peace psychology for the 21st century (pp. 1-13). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

[5] Tropp, L. R. (2012). Understanding and responding to intergroup conflict: Toward an integrated analysis. In L. R. Tropp (Ed.), The Oxford handbook of intergroup conflict (pp. 3-10). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

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