Nonviolence and Peace Psychology - (Peace Psychology Book) by Daniel Mayton (Hardcover)

About the Book

Recent events worldwide have increased public interest in nonviolence, pacifism, and peace psychology. This important volume assembles multiple perspectives to create a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the concepts and phenomena of nonviolence.

Book Synopsis

Recent trends and events worldwide have increased public interest in nonviolence, pacifism, and peace psychology as well as professional interest across the social sciences. Nonviolence and Peace Psychology assembles multiple perspectives to create a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the concepts and phenomena of nonviolence than is usually seen on the subject. Through this diverse literature--spanning psychology, political science, religious studies, anthropology, and sociology--peace psychologist Dan Mayton gives readers the opportunity to view nonviolence as a body of principles, a system of pragmatics, and a strategy for social change. This important volume:

• Draws critical distinctions between nonviolence, pacifism, and related concepts.
• Classifies nonviolence in terms of its scope (intrapersonal, interpersonal, societal, global) and pacifism according to political and situational dimensions.
• Applies standard psychological concepts such as beliefs, motives, dispositions, and values to define nonviolent actions and behaviors.
• Brings sociohistorical and cross-cultural context to peace psychology.
• Analyzes a century's worth of nonviolent social action, from the pathbreaking work of Gandhi and King to the Courage to Refuse movement within the Israeli armed forces.
• Reviews methodological and measurement issues in nonviolence research, and suggests areas for future study.

Although more attention is traditionally devoted to violence and aggression within the social sciences, Nonviolence and Peace Psychology reveals a robust knowledge base and a framework for peacebuilding work, granting peace psychologists, activists, and mediators new possibilities for the transformative power of nonviolence.

From the Back Cover

Recent trends and events worldwide have increased public interest in nonviolence, pacifism, and peace psychology as well as professional interest across the social sciences. Nonviolence and Peace Psychology assembles multiple perspectives to create a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the concepts and phenomena of nonviolence than is usually seen on the subject. Through this diverse literature--spanning psychology, political science, religious studies, anthropology, and sociology--peace psychologist Dan Mayton gives readers the opportunity to view nonviolence as a body of principles, a system of pragmatics, and a strategy for social change. This important volume:

• Draws critical distinctions between nonviolence, pacifism, and related concepts.
• Classifies nonviolence in terms of its scope (intrapersonal, interpersonal, societal, global) and pacifism according to political and situational dimensions.
• Applies standard psychological concepts such as beliefs, motives, dispositions, and values to define nonviolent actions and behaviors.
• Brings sociohistorical and cross-cultural context to peace psychology.
• Analyzes a century's worth of nonviolent social action, from the pathbreaking work of Gandhi and King to the Courage to Refuse movement within the Israeli armed forces.
• Reviews methodological and measurement issues in nonviolence research, and suggests areas for future study.

Although more attention is traditionally devoted to violence and aggression within the social sciences, Nonviolence and Peace Psychology reveals a robust knowledge base and a framework for peacebuilding work, granting peace psychologists, activists, and mediators new possibilities for the transformative power of nonviolence

Review Quotes

From the reviews: "Mayton (Lewis-Clark State College) presents the foundations of peace psychology in this release in the 'Peace Psychology Book Series.' ... this accessible book will serve both experienced and inexperienced readers in psychology, sociology, anthropology, political science, and philosophy. ... Each chapter includes an annotated list of relevant recommended reading and Web sites. ... gives specific recommendations for future research. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above." (E. E. Gratz, Choice, Vol. 47 (7), March, 2010) "Mayton has written an impressive and scholarly text that blends theory, historical references, and empirical research to address the nuances of nonviolence from an intrapersonal to cultural and societal level. ... Nonviolence and Peace Psychology is an essential text for individuals across a range of domains from education to clinical practice. ... Each chapter is well organized, carefully researched, inclusive of critical evaluation of the theory and research, and extensively referenced. ... this book will make a valuable addition to anyone's personal or university library." (Linda M. Woolf, PsycCRITIQUES, Vol. 55 (24), June, 2010)