University of the Punjab
B.S. 4 Years Program / Eighth Semester – 2020
Paper: Peace Psychology (Revised)
Course Code: APSY-482 / APSY-417
Total Marks: 50
Q.2: Give short answers to the following questions. (5x4=20)
i. What are the implications of recent technological change and development, according to peace
psychology?
Technological advancement significantly impacts peace psychology in the following ways:
• Communication & Awareness: Social media and digital tools raise awareness about global conflicts
and human rights violations, enabling rapid mobilization for peace.
• Cyber Warfare and Threats: Technology also facilitates new forms of violence such as cyberattacks,
disinformation campaigns, and surveillance.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI): The use of AI in autonomous weapons raises ethical and psychological
concerns about accountability and human dignity.
• Digital Divide: Technological inequalities can fuel resentment and social unrest among
underprivileged populations.
• Psychosocial Impact: Overexposure to online violence or negative content can lead to
desensitization and increased aggression, particularly among youth.
Peace psychology urges responsible and ethical use of technology for peaceful coexistence, digital literacy,
and equitable access.
ii. Following the terrorist attacks of 9/11, what is the predominant paradigm in security and threat
perception and to what extent is it an adequate response?
After 9/11, the "War on Terror" became the dominant security paradigm globally. It is characterized by:
• Military Interventions: Invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq aimed at dismantling terrorist networks.
• Surveillance and Control: Heightened airport security, anti-terror laws, and surveillance programs.
• Islamophobia and Stereotyping: Muslim communities often became targets of suspicion and
discrimination.
Critique from Peace Psychology: - It emphasizes that security based on fear and military force creates a
cycle of violence. - It ignores root causes like poverty, marginalization, and identity crises. - It fails to
consider human security, which includes psychological well-being, dignity, and freedom from fear.
Thus, the response was partially effective in short-term control but inadequate for sustainable peace.
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iii. In what ways do environmental issues present a concern for peace researchers in the twenty-first
century?
Environmental degradation is increasingly viewed as a source of conflict:
• Resource Scarcity: Competition over water, food, and land leads to conflicts, especially in poor or
unstable regions.
• Climate Migration: Rising sea levels and extreme weather force populations to migrate, increasing
tensions in host communities.
• Natural Disasters: Disasters exacerbate inequality and strain peace-building efforts in already
vulnerable societies.
• Ecological Injustice: Unequal contributions to and impacts from climate change (e.g., Global North
vs. Global South) create geopolitical tensions.
• Militarization of Resources: Armed forces are deployed to protect or exploit valuable natural
resources.
Peace researchers advocate for environmental justice, global cooperation, and sustainable development
to maintain peace.
iv. How can we apply the development of peace studies in the twentieth century?
Peace studies emerged as an academic discipline after WWII and gained momentum during the Cold War.
Applications include:
• Conflict Resolution Training: Teaching negotiation, mediation, and nonviolent communication in
schools and communities.
• Peace Education: Promoting tolerance, empathy, and critical thinking through education.
• Human Rights Advocacy: Institutionalizing international laws and mechanisms to protect human
dignity.
• Transitional Justice: Implementing truth commissions and reparations in post-conflict societies.
• Psychosocial Healing: Addressing trauma among war-affected populations.
The lessons of the twentieth century can guide current efforts to prevent war, support dialogue, and
promote lasting peace.
v. Discuss if violence is natural?
The question of whether violence is natural remains debated:
Arguments Suggesting Violence is Natural: - Evolutionary psychologists argue that aggression helped
early humans compete and survive. - Biological theories point to brain structures (e.g., amygdala) and
hormones (e.g., testosterone) linked to aggression.
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Arguments Suggesting Violence is Learned: - Social learning theory states violence is acquired through
observation and reinforcement. - Anthropological evidence shows peaceful societies exist with minimal
violence (e.g., !Kung San people). - Cultural, economic, and social factors shape the expression of violence.
Peace psychology leans toward the view that violence is not inherently natural, but contextually learned
and reinforced. Human capacity for cooperation and empathy is equally strong.
Q.3: Give answers to the following questions. (3x10=30)
i. What are the common methods used for conflict resolution?
Conflict resolution includes a range of techniques to settle disputes peacefully:
1. Negotiation: Direct dialogue between conflicting parties to reach a mutually acceptable solution.
2. Mediation: A neutral third party facilitates communication and helps find common ground.
3. Arbitration: A third party imposes a binding decision after hearing both sides.
4. Dialogue Circles: Community-based discussions that promote understanding and healing.
5. Collaborative Problem-Solving: Joint identification and solving of root issues.
6. Restorative Justice: Involves both victim and offender in repairing harm done.
Example: The Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa used dialogue and restorative justice
after apartheid.
ii. Differentiate and explain between positive and negative peace.
Type Definition Characteristics
Negative Absence of direct violence (e.g., war, Often temporary, based on fear or
Peace fighting) coercion
Presence of justice, equality, and Sustainable, based on cooperation and
Positive Peace
harmony fairness
Example: - A ceasefire between two countries = Negative Peace - Reconciliation, economic equality, and
human rights = Positive Peace
Peace psychology emphasizes building positive peace through structural reforms, education, and social
justice.
iii. Define social justice and how it could be exercised in a society.
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Social Justice refers to the fair and equal distribution of resources, opportunities, and privileges within a
society, ensuring that every individual’s rights are respected and protected.
Ways to Exercise Social Justice: - Legal Reforms: Enacting laws to protect minority rights, gender equality,
and workers’ rights. - Economic Policies: Progressive taxation, minimum wage laws, and poverty reduction
programs. - Education Access: Free or affordable education for all social classes. - Healthcare Equality:
Universal healthcare and affordable medical services. - Anti-Discrimination Measures: Policies to eliminate
racism, sexism, and other forms of bias.
Social justice ensures a peaceful and equitable society where all individuals feel valued and empowered.
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