ECP 2009 kongressin anti luettavissa abstrakteista
Preventing Violent Conflict:
Psychological Dimensions Under the auspices of the International Network of Psychologists for Social
Responsibility
Convenor Ferdinand Garoff (FI) University of Helsinki,
Finnish Psychologists for Social Responsibility, International Network of
Psychologists for Social Responsibility
Participants Lameez Alexander (ZA, AU) University of Cape Town, University of Newcastle Kirsti Palonen (FI) Finnish Psychologists for Social Responsibility, Hanna
Brycz (PL) University of Gdansk, Johanna Kirchhoff (DE) University of
Goettingen
Contributors Stefania Paolini (AU) University of Newcastle Sirkku Kivistö (FI) Finnish Psychologists for Social Responsibility Leena Noronen (FI) Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences Mai Salmenkangas (FI) Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences Micha Strack (DE) University of Goettingen Uli Jaeger (DE) Institute for Peace Education Tuebingen
Symposium abstract Socially responsible psychology can help reduce
direct and structural violence, and promote the development of peaceful and
just social and individual relationships. The International Network of
Psychologists for Social Responsibility (INPsySR) seeks to promote
communication between researchers and practitioners around the world working
for peace and social justice.
Contact between groups is effective in
reducing prejudice. Realistic interventions for the reduction of intergroup
prejudice in multi-cultural societies require a deeper understanding of the
social psychological bases for seeking or avoiding intergroup contact. A
realistic and reflected picture of the daily life of refugees helps to build
appropriate services for refugees and other immigrants.
The actor-observer asymmetry in
perception of moral behavior is influenced by self-reflection and judgments by
others, resulting in more accurate perceptions of one’s own behavior. Accurate
perceptions and appropriate phrasing of personal apologies can meet the needs
of the offended and enhance forgiveness.
Symposium contributions The Role of Self-Expansion and
Anxiety-Reduction in Intergroup Contact Motivations for Engagement and
Avoidance
Lameez Alexander, University of Cape
Town, ZA, University of Newcastle, AU Stefania Paolini, PhD, University of Newcastle, AU
Allport’s (1954)
contact hypothesis states that contact between groups can reduce intergroup
prejudice provided such contact occurs under certain conditions. Invoking all
of Allport’s conditions, intergroup friendship is probably the most optimal
form of intergroup contact, making it particularly effective in diminishing
prejudiced attitudes (Pettigrew & Tropp, 2000). Willingness to engage in
contact with people of different ethnic or cultural backgrounds naturally
precede the formation of inter-ethnic friendships, yet research investigating
the motivational bases for seeking (or avoiding) intergroup contact is
surprisingly scant. The present research aims to investigate two motivational
drives that underlie the desire to engage in, or avoid, intergroup encounters,
namely anxiety (associated with avoidance) (Stephan & Stephan, 1985) and
self-expansion (associated with engagement) (Wright, Aron & Tropp, 2002)
motives. The relative predictive powers of anxiety and self-expansion, in their
trait and state forms, as well as their interactive effects, are discussed.
Body and mind in motion in refugee camps
Sirkku Kivistö, MA (psychology) Lic, Specialist in
Occupational Health, Finnish Psychologists for Social Responsibility, FI Kirsti Palonen, MA, psychotherapist, private practice in Helsinki, FI Leena Noronen, Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, FI Mai Salmenkangas, Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, FI
Objectives: By collecting information
material of refugee camps for the Finnish audience we want to show how the
people living in most difficult circumstances arrange their life in a
meaningful way.
Methods: Four students of Metropolia
University monitor motion and exercise activities in refugee camps during their
internship in the spring of 2008 in two camp centers in Beirut, Lebanon.
Results: Case studies of activities in
kindergarten and hobby groups and in families are collected. The qualitative
data will be analyzed thematically.
Conclusion: A realistic and reflected
picture of the daily life in camps is needed to build the services of the
recipient country (Finland) more accurate for refugee and other immigrants.
Perception of one’s own and another’s
behaviors related to morality in groups of Polish students
Hanna Brycz, Professor, Institute of
Psychology, University of Gdansk, PL
The main purpose of this presentation is
an attempt to overview the process by which polish students perceive the
“morality domain”. Their perceptions of the “moral domain” were generated by
free recall and judgmental processes of their own or someone else’s immoral
behaviors (sins) or moral ones (virtues). It was expected that students, who
assessed themselves, would evaluate their own transgression in a much positive
way to somebody else’s immoral behavior. Two different studies are presented,
proving the well known actor-observer asymmetry in perception of morality
(Peeters, 1971, Reeder, Brewer, 1985, Skowronsky, Carlston, 1989, Wojciszke,
Brycz, Borkenau, 1993). Two kinds of experimental manipulation (1. cognitive
load and concentration on own sin and 2. cognitive load and concentration on
one’s own “sinful success” behavior - like cheating during exam and not being
caught) resulted in accurate perception of one’s own transgressions (negative
self-judgment had the same effect as negative judgments by others).
Apologies: Depending on Offence Severity, the Composition of Elements Does Matter
Johanna Kirchhoff,
Georg-Elias-Mueller-Institute of Psychology, University of Goettingen, DE Micha Strack, Georg-Elias-Mueller-Institute of Psychology, University of
Goettingen, DE Uli Jaeger, Institute for Peace Education Tuebingen (ift), DE
Aiming at conflict transformation in current
intercultural yet within-state conflicts, the study experimentally analyzed
personal apologies among neighbours. With attention to the needs of the
offended, eight components of apology were extracted from literature and are
proposed as basic elements. The first hypothesis states that the more basic
elements an apology includes, the more likely – at least after more severe
offences – a receiver forgives. The second hypothesis singles out a direct
quest for forgiveness as a special element. An online vignette questionnaire
varies offence severity (2-fold) and number of elements (8-fold). The results
of 657 German speaking participants support the first but not the second
hypothesis. Overall, the study manages to corroborate the eight basic elements.
Especially in the framework of more severe offences, the results offer insights
into the way the phrasing of personal apologies can meet the needs of the
offended and hence enhance forgiveness.
The human costs of human rights
violations Under the auspices of the International Network of
Psychologists for Social Responsibility
Convenor Miriam Schroer (DE) Free University Berlin, Forum Peace Psychology,
International Psychologists for Social Responsibility
Participants Nina Lyytinen (FI) University of Helsinki Kirsti Palonen (FI) Finnish Psychologists for Social Responsibility Nahid Aziz, (US) University Washington DC Virpi Lähteenmäki (FI) University of Tampere, Finnish Psychologists for Social
Responsibility Jancis Long (US) University of California, Psychologists for Social
Responsibility, International Network of Psychologists for Social
Responsibility
Contributors Amneh Jawabreh (PS) Palestinian Medical Relief Society Sana Barake (PS) Amneh Jawabreh Palestinian Medical Relief Society
Symposium Abstract Human rights’ violations - often seen merely as a
tragic by-product of war and political instability - severely endanger
psychological well-being and individual development, the very issues psychology
as a science and profession aims to foster. Exposure to long periods of
war of varying intensity, inequality and oppression, or to single events of
severe violence in an otherwise peaceful context, may lead to various forms of
long-lasting psychological distress. The symposium will start out with findings
on psychological consequences of human rights’ violations and will proceed to
critically discuss the complex roles psychologists may play. Measures to treat
and empower the vulnerable will be presented. Also, the role of psychologists
working with the military and thereby potentially aiding - or at least failing
to prevent - human rights violations will be critically discussed, and an
approach to ethical guidelines for psychologists engaging in this field will be
introduced.
Symposium Contributions The effects of school shooting on school staff
Nina Lyytinen, BA, MA student, University of
Helsinki, FI Kirsti Palonen, MA, psychotherapist, private practice in Helsinki, FI
On November 7th 2007, during a school
day, one student shot 8 persons and himself at Jokela School. This study
examines the effects of the shooting on the staff of Jokela School. In this
six-month longitudinal study the subjects are 24 Jokela School staff members
(92% teachers). The control group consists of 19 staff members from two other
schools. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of self-report measures of
PTSD are used. Some moderate to extensive symptoms of PTSD were experienced by
55 percent of the subjects. In the control group less than one percent
experienced any symptoms of PTSD. The school staff plays a major role in the
aftermath of severe school violence. It is important to develop ways to
offer support and treatment to them and to better understand the psychological
challenges they face.
Assailed by War and Culture: Afghan women’s mental health
Nahid Aziz Psy.D, Associate Professor
Argosy University Washington DC, US
While all Afghans have suffered from
invasions, occupations and civil strife, and many from refugee status and
extreme poverty, Afghan women have had the added stresses of a culture that has
historically prevented them from asserting independence, self determination and
freedom of choice in a range of human rights issues. For them losses of
family members, living space and income has frequently been compounded lack of
access to basic health care, education and legal rights and cultural permission
for gender violence in the community and family. The World Health Organization
estimates that upward of 5 million adults in Afghanistan suffer from PTSD,
depression, anxiety disorders or substance abuse, with a disproportionate
number of these being women. My research and clinical work with Afghan women
has suggested that depression, anxiety, PTSD and suicide among Afghan women is
associated in complex ways with a) variable levels of community devastation, b)
variable family and community traditions of women’s oppression, and c)
involvement of women in post Taliban-era local or national development, d)
exposure to peacebuilding and women’s empowerment and mental health
programs. Specific recommendations toward the amelioration of human
rights and mental health for Afghan women will be offered for discussion.
Play therapy: A therapeutic group model for traumatized children-experiences
from Palestine
Virpi Lähteenmäki, Child Psychologist,
Specialisation Training, University of Tampere, Member of Finnish Psychologists
for Social Responsibility (FiPSR), FI Amneh Jawabreh, Palestinian Medical Relief Society (PMRS), PS Sana Barake, Palestinian Medical Relief Society (PMRS), PS
Play therapy model is a therapeutic group
method for children, who have been traumatized. The model has been evaluated
and adjusted for Palestinian culture and has been practiced there since 2006 in
collaboration with Finnish and Palestinian psychologists. (FIPSR and PMRS)
The model has 16 sessions with structured
learning activities. These exercises are designed to address the following
objectives: a) To promote healthy self-esteem and good relationships b) Address
children’s needs for challenge, stimulation, structure, nurture, and support c)
Provide children with positive models, and teach them new ways of being with
others and d) Provide children new ways for problem solving and means of
dealing with disappointments.
The model is suitable for small group of children
(5-12), with similar trauma experiences, as it can offer a secured and
supporting peer group. The model is useful for teachers and counselors and is
relatively easy to learn.
Psychologists in the Military: can “Doing Harm” be
avoided?
Jancis Long, Ph.D., University of
California, Berkeley Extension, President, Psychologists for Social Responsibility, US Secretary, International Network of Psychologists for Social Responsibility
Recent US use of torture and mistreatment
of war prisoners, aided by psychologists has thrown into sharp focus the
vulnerability of clinicians in military settings to violate their professional
ethic to “Do No Harm”. Efforts to link ethical codes to actual cases are
underway to provide realistic ethical guidelines for psychologists in the
military. This presentation will draw from a Military Ethics Casebook in
progress. Examples of interrogations, excessive punishment, pressure to return
traumatized soldiers to battle, cruel training exercises, psychologically
damaging research have been gathered and commented on by a variety of military
and other social scientists and ethicists. These demonstrate many ways of “doing
harm” by clinicians in the military, despite ethical codes designed to promote
humane behavior. This presentation will include case vignettes, assessments
from military chaplains, psychologists and commanders and a discussion of
whether cruel treatment of enemies, prisoners and the soldiers themselves can
be reduced.
PEACEBUILDING: PSYCHOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES Under the auspices of the International Network of
Psychologists for Social Responsibility
Convenor Paula Green (US) Karuna Center for Peacebuilding,
School for International Training, Psychologists for Social Responsibility (US)
Contributors Inger Agger (DK) Rehabilitation and Research Centre for Torture Victims Friederike Feuchte (DE) University Jena Miriam Schroer (DE) Free University Berlin, Forum Peace Psychology,
International Psychologists for Social Responsibility
Participants Lenin Raghuvanshi (IN) People’s Vigilance Committee for Human Rights Peter Polatin, (DK) Rehabilitation and Research Centre for Torture Victims Andreas Beelmann (DE) University
Jena
Rupert Brown (UK) Sussex University
Symposium Abstract When wars, civil wars and dictatorial oppressions
end, survivors are frequently traumatized, depressed, displaced, impoverished,
cut off from their former competencies and supports and often mourning grievous
losses. Without focused work to promote individual and social healing and to
reconstruct psychological, social, economic, and justice foundations of
shattered communities cycles of revenge, despair, and rage can undermine a
fragile peace, leaving the way open for profiteers of chaos, fear, and violence
to gain control. Building peace and pathways to reconciliation after violence
are thus crucial factors in preventing future violence. They also play key
roles in creating human well-being and communities that can in some ways live
and work together.
This Symposium presents the dynamics of
some particular successes and failures in post violence individual and
community recovery, examines some key factors for evaluating such work, and
invites an audience discussion of ways toward building sustainable post war
communities.
Individual and Community needs for Recovery after
War Devastation
Paula Green, Founder-Director, Karuna Center for
Peacebuilding, Professor of Conflict Transformation, School for International Training, US
Peace building in war-recovering
communities around the world has demonstrated to me the deeply cyclical nature
of dehumanization and self-justifying revenge between people emerging from
violent conflict, and thus the absolute necessity of interrupting these
vengeful cycles with community building interventions and local engagement.
Such work should begin as soon as conditions allow. The combined insights and
experiences of local and international mental health and peace building experts
can devise programs that respond to the broad needs to memorialize losses,
promote tolerance, encourage joint engagement, and heal the brokenness within
and between individuals and communities. While some individuals require
specific mental health assistance, however for most adults and children,
community interventions are most successful, especially those including traditional
methods of healing and resilience. Specific problems and interventions from my
work in the Balkans, Mid East, Asia, and Africa will be shared including photos
and a video clip of communal dialogue.
Testimonial Therapy: among Survivors
of Torture and Organized Violence in India
Inger Agger, PhD, Psychosocial Adviser,
Rehabilitation and Research Centre for Torture Victims, Copenhagen, DK Lenin Raghuvanshi, BAMS, People’s Vigilance Committee for Human Rights,
Varanasi, IN Peter Polatin, MD, Health Program Manager, Rehabilitation and Research Centre
for Torture Victims, Copenhagen, DK
Testimonial therapy, provided through
trained community workers and human rights activists, is helping victims of
torture to tell their stories, and to receive psychotherapeutic and community
support. The testimony method was originally described in Chile during the
military dictatorship in the 1970s. The assumptions behind it were that public
testimony about human rights violations serves as: 1) a cathartic and positive
reframing experience for the survivors; 2) desensitization and alternative
learning from volitional re-exposure, and/or 3) a gratification and empowerment
by active contribution to obtaining justice and preventing torture in the
future. In the project presented, the testimonial method has been further
developed by introducing a public delivery ceremony in which the survivor is
honored, and the testimony is read out and given to the survivor in a community
meeting or public demonstration. This ritual anchors the testimony process in
the community and the family whereby the process becomes truly “psychosocial”
and community-based.
Evaluation of the Peace Education
Programme in a Liberian Refugee camp
Friederike Feuchte, International Graduate College
“Conflict and Cooperation between Social Groups”, University Jena, DE Andreas Beelmann, International Graduate College “Conflict and Cooperation
between Social Groups”, University Jena, DE Rupert Brown, Sussex University, UK
Peace education aims to help people develop
skills, attitudes and values which fosternon-violent
interactions and promote reconciliation. To assess the effectiveness of apeace education programme and to investigate the processes involved,
an evaluationof the 36 hours’ community workshops of the
Inter-Agency Peace EducationProgramme (INEE, 2005) was
conducted in a refugee camp in Ghana. 152 Liberianrefugees
from different ethnic groups completed attitude measures before and after apeace education workshop or without any intervention as waiting
control group.
Participation in the peace education
workshops increased readiness for reconciliation,positive
attitudes towards other ethnic groups and the willingness for contact withthem. These changes were brought about by building up trust and empathy
as well asby knowledge acquisition and change in ethnic
categorization. Thus both affectiveand cognitive processes
contributed to the effects of the intervention.
Theory-based Evaluation of Peace Work - Masculinity and Conscientious Objection
in Bosnia and Hercegovina
Miriam Schroer,
Diplom-Psychologist, Forum Peace Psychology Germany, Freie Universität Berlin,
DE
During the last decade the question has
been raised of whether and how peace work can be evaluated adequately. This
study suggests a theory-based evaluation approach. Results from feminist peace
and conflict studies and masculinity studies are used as a base to analyse
selected civil society peace projects. The evaluation approach is applied to a
campaign for conscientious objection in post war Bosnia and Hercegovina.
Results show that the campaign succeeds to challenge ethno-nationalistic and
violent concepts of masculinity and offers culturally acceptable non-violent
concepts by partially rejecting, affirming, and transforming hegemonic concepts
of masculinity.
