CORE CONCEPTS OF PEACE PSYCHOLOGY

The history of the contributions of psychology to the study of war and peace includes both early,
philosophical origins, as well as modern and postmodern social science perspectives.
Psychology’s fundamental search for understanding human behavior, motivation, and meaning
has generated research on a variety of topics that inform our understandings of violence and
nonviolence. Early peace psychologists viewed human nature in terms of drives and impulses
that are innate and shaped by the environment with aggression having both the potential for
destructive as well as constructive outcomes. Given this conceptual framework, a key question
that followed was whether war was an inevitable manifestation of human nature. Following
World War II, the impact of the threat of nuclear war and conflict resolution emerged as central
concerns.
Definition of Peace Psychology:
According to MacNair (2003);
“Peace Psychology is the study of mental processes and behavior that lead to violence,
prevent violence, and facilitate non-violence as well as promoting fairness, respect, and dignity
for all, for the purpose of making violence a less likely occurrence and helping to heal its
psychological effects”.
Importance of Peace Psychology
Peace psychology seeks to develop theories and practices aimed at the prevention and mitigation
of direct and structural violence. Framed positively, peace psychology promotes the nonviolent
management of conflict and the pursuit of social justice, what we refer to as peacemaking and
peace building, respectively.
Aims of Peace Psychology
Peace Psychology aims to encourage psychological research, education, and training on issues
concerning peace, nonviolent conflict resolution, reconciliation, and the causes, consequences
and prevention of war and other forms of destructive conflict. It works to provide an organization
that fosters communication among researchers, teachers, and practitioners who are working on
peace issues. It aims to apply the knowledge and the methods of psychology in the advancement
of peace, non-violent conflict resolution, reconciliation, and the prevention of war and other
forms of destructive conflict. As peace psychologists, our vision is the development of
sustainable societies through the prevention of destructive conflict and violence, the amelioration
of its consequences, the empowerment of individuals, and the building of cultures of peace and
global community. Theory, research, and practice related to social conflict and violence, war and
peace, structural (indirect) and direct violence and its prevention/amelioration etc. are a part of
peace psychology.
Pillars of 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. These pillars work together to promote peace, conflict resolution, and understanding
through psychological knowledge and application. Here's a more detailed explanation of each
pillar:
 Research: This pillar focuses on studying the psychological factors that contribute to
conflict and violence, as well as those that promote peace and cooperation. This involves
developing theories, conducting studies, and analyzing data to understand the root causes
of conflict and the conditions that foster peace.
 Education: This pillar emphasizes the importance of educating individuals and
communities about peace, conflict resolution, and nonviolent communication. This can
involve developing educational programs, training workshops, and creating resources that
promote peace-building skills and knowledge.
 Practice: This pillar focuses on applying psychological knowledge and skills to promote
peace and conflict resolution in real-world settings. This can involve working with
individuals, groups, or organizations to address conflict, build relationships, and promote
positive social change.
 Advocacy: This pillar involves advocating for policies and practices that promote peace
and justice. This can involve raising awareness about peace issues, lobbying for change,
and working to create a more just and equitable world.
Peacemaking
Peacemaking is defined as transition from a state of war to a state of peace by a deliberate action
of the parties involved. Peacemaking is practical conflict transformation focused upon
establishing equitable power relationships robust enough to forestall future conflict, often
including the establishment of means of agreeing on ethical decisions within a community. True
peace can rarely be imposed from the outside; it must be born within and between communities
through meetings and dialogue and then carried outward.
Peacekeeping
Peace keeping is the active maintenance of a truce between nations or communities, especially
by an international military force. Peacekeeping comprises activities intended to create
conditions that favor lasting peace. Research generally finds that peacekeeping reduces civilian
and battlefield deaths, as well as reduces the risk of renewed warfare. Peacekeepers protect
civilians, actively prevent conflict, reduce violence, strengthen security and empower national
authorities to assume these responsibilities. This requires a coherent security and peace building
strategy that supports the political strategy. In carrying out a peacekeeping mission where the
grand strategy is to maintain peace and order by persuading armed parties or other hostile
elements to back away from aggressive activities, military strength is not a definite measure of
success; neither could material contribution alone guarantees the "winning of the hearts and
minds" of the people. What appears to be important is the day-to-day conduct of the
peacekeepers on the ground; those who uphold the principles of neutrality and impartiality, as
well as those who are able to carry all aspects of its operational duties exceptionally.
Peace building
Peace building is an activity that aims to resolve injustice in nonviolent ways and to transform
the cultural and structural conditions that generate deadly or destructive conflict. It is the
implementation of measures intended to create or sustain peace, especially in an area affected by
conflict. Peace building seeks to address the underlying causes of conflict, helping people to
resolve their differences peacefully and lay the foundations to prevent future violence. By using
the Peacebuilding, we can development of constructive personal, group, and political
relationships across ethnic, religious, class, national, and racial boundaries. We believe that
peace is more than just the absence of violence. While the period after fighting stops and a return
to normality is welcome, stability frequently masks the reality that grievances or other causes of
conflict have not been addressed and may erupt again. Peace building organizations such as Alert
ultimately strive to promote what is described as ‘positive peace’.
To understand Peace building, we need to appreciate the factors that contribute to peace, the
absence of which can potentially lead to conflict.
Positive peace is when: Everyone lives in safety, without fear or threat of violence, and no form
of violence is tolerated in law or in practice Everyone is equal before the law, the systems for
justice are trusted, and fair and effective laws protect people’s rights Everyone is able to
participate in shaping political decisions and the government is accountable to the people
Everyone has fair and equal access to the basic needs for their wellbeing – such as food, clean
water, shelter, education, healthcare and a decent living environment Everyone has an equal
opportunity to work and make a living, regardless of gender, ethnicity or any other aspect of
identity. These are the factors that, taken together, provide people with the resilience that allows
them to deal with their differences and conflicts without violence.
Challenges for Peace Psychology:
1. Perception of Peace as Weakness:
Many people view the concept of "peace" as soft, naive, or even dangerous, particularly in the
context of terrorism and national security concerns. This perception is prevalent among those
who equate military strength with patriotism and see cooperative approaches as signs of
weakness. Critics argue that advocating for peace can be interpreted as appeasing enemies or
ignoring the harsh realities of human conflict. This perspective aligns with a Hobbesian view of
international relations, where competition and power dynamics dominate. In contrast, peace
psychology emphasizes the importance of understanding conditions under which cooperative
behavior can lead to constructive relationships, challenging the notion that peace is inherently
weak.
2. Methodological Concerns:
Peace psychology often employs qualitative methods, leading some to question its scientific
rigor. Critics might assume that qualitative research lacks the methodological robustness of
quantitative approaches. However, peace psychologists embrace a variety of epistemological
frameworks, integrating both laboratory-based experimental methods and field-based
participatory research. This diversity enriches the field and allows for a comprehensive
exploration of complex social issues related to peace. By valuing both qualitative and
quantitative data, peace psychology aims to build a more nuanced understanding of the factors
influencing peace and conflict.

3. Narrow Focus Misconception:

Originally organized at the end of the Cold War, peace psychology was often associated with
nuclear issues, which has led to a narrow perception of the field. As public concerns have shifted
towards terrorism, climate change, and other global issues, the scope of peace psychology has
also evolved. To mitigate the misconception that it focuses solely on nuclear threats, the
American Psychological Association's Division 48 changed its name to reflect a broader range of
topics, including conflict, violence, and social justice. Peace psychology now seeks to understand
the underlying structural and cultural roots of violence, acknowledging the importance of inner
peace and its influence on attitudes toward conflict resolution.
4. Relevance to International Relations:
There is a prevailing belief that peace psychology has little to contribute to the field of
international relations, which is often viewed as distinct from mainstream psychology. Critics
argue that traditional political science relies on reductionism, oversimplifying complex human
behaviors by attempting to explain them solely at the neurophysiological level. However, recent
work in multilevel analysis demonstrates that events at one level can have multiple determinants
across various levels of analysis. Peace psychologists advocate for integrating psychological
insights with political and cultural dynamics, emphasizing the need to explore how individual
behaviors influence broader political interactions. By doing so, peace psychology can provide
valuable perspectives on conflict resolution and international cooperation.