Psychological causes and effects of violence and non-violence

Psychological Causes and effects of Violence

In peace psychology, the study of violence encompasses understanding its causes and effects to
promote peaceful resolutions and environments. Here’s an exploration of the psychological
causes and effects of violence within the framework of peace psychology:

Psychological Causes of Violence in Peace Psychology

1. Individual Factors:
o Aggression and Impulsivity: Individuals with higher tendencies towards
aggression and impulsivity are more likely to engage in violent behavior.
o Mental Health Issues: Conditions like depression, PTSD, or personality
disorders can predispose individuals to violence, especially when they feel
threatened or overwhelmed.
o History of Trauma: Experiencing or witnessing violence, particularly during
childhood, can normalize aggressive responses and lead to violent behavior in the
future.
2. Cognitive Factors:
o Dehumanization: Perceiving others as less than human reduces empathy and
makes it easier to justify violence against them.
o Hostile Attribution Bias: A tendency to interpret others' actions as hostile, even
when they are not, can lead to defensive violence.
o Moral Disengagement: Mechanisms that allow individuals to rationalize or
justify their violent actions, distancing themselves from the moral implications.
3. Social and Environmental Factors:
o Social Learning: Violence can be learned by observing and imitating others,
especially influential figures like parents, peers, or media representations.
o Cultural Norms: Societies that glorify or normalize violence can contribute to its
perpetuation/ keep going.
 o Economic and Social Inequality: High levels of inequality and poverty can
foster frustration and ultimately violence as a means of coping or
asserting/forcefully control.
4. Group Dynamics:
o Ingroup vs. Outgroup: Strong identification with a particular group and viewing
other groups as threats can lead to intergroup conflict and violence.
o Social Identity and Collective Behavior: When individuals’ identities are
closely tied to a group, they may act violently to defend or promote their group’s
interests.
5. Situational and Contextual Factors:
o Stress and Overcrowding: High-stress environments and overcrowding can
increase irritability and aggression, leading to violence.
o Substance Abuse: Alcohol and drug use can impair judgment and increase the
likelihood of violent behavior.

Psychological Effects of Violence in Peace Psychology

1. Effects on Victims:
o Psychological Trauma: Exposure to violence can lead to PTSD, anxiety,
depression, and other mental health issues.
o Behavioral Changes: Victims might exhibit changes such as increased
aggression, withdrawal, or hypervigilance/ constantly assessing potiential threats
around you.
o Interpersonal Difficulties: Trust issues, difficulty forming relationships, and
social isolation can result from experiencing violence.
o Health Problems: Chronic exposure to violence can lead to physical health
problems, such as cardiovascular issues and somatic symptoms/pain or fatigue.
2. Effects on Perpetrators:
o Psychological Distress: Some perpetrators/criminal experience guilt, shame, and
other forms of psychological distress.
o Normalization of Violence: Engaging in violence can desensitize/less sensitive
individuals to its effects, making future violence more likely.
 o Relationship Strain: Violent behavior can strain or sever relationships, leading
to social isolation and further psychological distress.
3. Effects on Communities:
o Community Trauma: Widespread violence can traumatize entire communities,
leading to collective fear, anxiety, and mistrust.
o Breakdown of Social Cohesion: Persistent violence can erode trust and
cooperation within communities, making it harder to achieve collective goals and
maintain peace.
o Cycle of Violence: Violence often begets more violence, creating a vicious cycle
that perpetuates conflict and instability.

Peace Psychology Interventions

Peace psychology aims to address the root causes and mitigate/reduce the effects of violence
through various interventions, including:

 Conflict Resolution and Mediation: Facilitating dialogue and negotiation between

conflicting parties to find peaceful solutions.
 Education and Awareness Programs: Promoting understanding, empathy, and
nonviolent communication through educational initiatives.
 Community Building: Strengthening social bonds and fostering inclusive
communities/activities to reduce the likelihood of violence.
 Mental Health Support: Providing psychological support and counseling to both
victims and perpetrators to address trauma and promote healing.
 Policy Advocacy: Working to change policies and systems that contribute to violence,
such as advocating for economic equality, social justice, and effective legal systems.

By addressing both the causes and effects of violence, peace psychology strives to create
environments where individuals and communities can thrive peacefully.

Psychological Causes and effects of Non-Violence

In peace psychology, the psychological causes and effects of non-violence are crucial areas of
study aimed at understanding why individuals and groups choose non-violent approaches to
conflict resolution and how these choices impact personal, social, and global dynamics. Here’s
an exploration of these aspects:

Psychological Causes of Non-Violence

1. Ethical and Moral Beliefs:

o Values of Compassion and Empathy: Strong moral convictions/belief about
right and wrong that prioritize empathy, compassion, and the preservation of
human dignity lead individuals to reject violence.
o Commitment to Justice: Belief in fairness, equality, and social justice motivates
people to seek non-violent means of addressing grievances/injustice and resolving
conflicts.
2. Cognitive Factors:
o Positive Perception of Non-Violence: Individuals who believe in the
effectiveness of non-violent methods are more likely to adopt these approaches.
o Conflict Resolution Skills: Training in communication, negotiation, and
mediation equips individuals with practical tools to resolve conflicts peacefully.
o Critical Thinking: Ability to analyze situations rationally and consider long-term
consequences encourages non-violent problem-solving.
3. Personal Characteristics:
o Self-control and Emotional Regulation: Capacity to manage emotions such as
anger and frustration reduces the likelihood of reacting violently in challenging
situations.
o Resilience: Ability to withstand adversity and maintain a sense of purpose
without resorting to aggressive behavior.
4. Social and Environmental Factors:
o Role Models and Social Influence: Influence from non-violent leaders, activists,
or peers who exemplify peaceful behavior and inspire others to follow suit.
 o Supportive Social Networks: Belonging to communities or networks that
promote non-violence reinforces individuals' commitment to peaceful approaches.
o Educational and Cultural Norms: Exposure to educational programs and
cultural values that emphasize non-violence as a core principle of social
interaction and conflict resolution.

Psychological Effects of Non-Violence

1. On Individuals:
o Enhanced Psychological Well-being: Non-violent individuals often experience
lower levels of stress, anxiety, and guilt compared to those who engage in
violence.
o Increased Self-esteem: Successfully resolving conflicts through non-violent
means can boost self-confidence and foster a positive self-image.
o Positive Relationships: Non-violent approaches cultivate trust, respect, and
healthier interpersonal connections.
2. On Communities and Societies:
o Social Cohesion: Communities that practice non-violence tend to exhibit stronger
social bonds, cooperation, and collective resilience.
o Reduction in Violence: Non-violent strategies contribute to safer and more stable
environments, reducing the prevalence of conflicts and their destructive impacts.
o Promotion of Justice and Equality: Non-violent movements can lead to social
reforms, greater inclusivity, and advancements in human rights.
3. Long-term Cultural and Global Impact:
o Cultural Transformation: Societies that embrace non-violence as a guiding
principle can undergo cultural shifts towards peace, tolerance, and conflict
resolution.
o Global Influence: Successful non-violent movements serve as models for global
peacebuilding efforts, inspiring similar initiatives worldwide and influencing
international norms.

Interventions and Strategies in Peace Psychology

Peace psychology employs various strategies to promote non-violence and mitigate violence:

 Education and Training: Teaching conflict resolution skills, non-violent

communication, and strategies for managing anger and aggression.
 Advocacy and Awareness Campaigns: Raising awareness about the benefits of non-
violence and promoting role models who exemplify peaceful approaches.
 Community Building: Creating supportive environments that encourage dialogue,
empathy, and cooperation.
 Policy Advocacy: Advocating for policies that address root causes of violence, promote
social justice, and protect human rights.
 Research and Evaluation: Conducting research to understand effective strategies for
promoting non-violence and evaluating the impact of interventions.

By addressing the psychological causes and effects of non-violence, peace psychology

contributes to creating environments where conflicts are resolved peacefully and individuals can
live in dignity and security.

Cycle of violence
While abusive behavior can be repetitive, it’s important to note that abuse does not always occur
in a cyclical pattern. In fact, assuming that violence occurs in cycles can lead to victim-blaming.
Abuse can be unpredictable and it is never OK.

Some people who have experienced any type of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse can attest to
the fact that the abuse happened in very predictable cycles. In some instances, violence can be
repetitive and may have generational roots.

People who experience trauma as children are likely to experience triggers that they don’t
understand when they become parents. These triggers may cause the parent to repeat old patterns
that they are already familiar with.

One study suggested that one reason why children who have been abused are more likely to
abuse children of their own when they become parents is because of the way that they’ve learned
to perceive social situations as children. This research says that kids who experience physical
abuse are more likely to be biased when processing social situations, even jumping to harsh
conclusions when they initially meet people.

People who experienced physical abuse are more likely to doubt the intentions of new people,
which can make it difficult to form healthy relationships.

This article looks at the (sometimes) repetitive nature of violence, the factors that predispose
people to violence, and ways to prevent abusive or violent behaviors. It also covers important
resources for people who are hoping to recover and heal from past trauma.

Why Does Violence Sometimes Repeat Itself?

One study found that exposure to family violence early in life drastically increases the chances of
intimate partner violence (IPV) in adulthood.

Another study even found that children that had experienced abuse were far more likely to be
arrested for a non-traffic offense at least once by the age of 32.

In the past, it’s been believed that domestic abuse follows a “cycle;” however, as we learn more
about abuse and why it happens, we understand that abuse can be unpredictable. The cycle below
is listed for informational purposes only and is not reflective of all cases of abuse.

When abuse is described as a cycle, it’s often separated into four stages:

Tension Building: This is when the abuser starts to get angry. The potential victim may try to
calm their partner down.

The Incident: This is the moment when an abusive event happens. Abuse can be physical,
emotional, or sexual.

The “Honeymoon” Period: In this stage, the abuser appears to feel remorse for their actions,
and they typically ask for forgiveness or promise not to repeat the behavior. Some abusers will
also try to push the blame on their victim during this phase or downplay the severity of the
situation.
The Calm: Abuse is absent during this stage. The person who perpetrated the abuse might
pretend the abuse never occurred or will try to show the victim that they really have changed.
Sometimes, the victim will feel as though they can trust their partner again.