Psychology of Violence

Examines the roots and outward manifestations of aggression and violence, the role of society and the individual, and what can be done to lessen the trend toward violent behavior and encourage a peaceful approach.

This book is designed to examine issues related to schools, violence, and society. Since the 1960s, crime and violence have been increasing in America's schools. This violence is not limited to inner-city schools, but has struck virtually every strata and socio-economic level of American culture and society. The prevalence of crime and violence occurring in our nation's schools has become the concern of policymakers on the national and state levels. Concern has spread to parents, educators, and students themselves. This edited volume reviews violence in society, school violence, and crime. Coverage includes past trends in school violence and describes the current extent of the problem, as well as tspects of its causes and prevention. The influence on the students and community of gang activity, gang-related issues, drugs, alcohol, and weapons on campus is discussed.

Under the aegis of the two grandes dames of international studies in psychology, 23 experts examine violence in all of its multivarious forms around the world. They find that it is present in practically every society, at every socioeconomic level, and in every age group. The first group of essays look at violence as a societal phenomenon--its motivational aspects as related to, for example, terrorism or machismo. The second group of essays discuss violence involving children--incest, trauma, delinquency, school violence, and the death penalty for youths. The last section looks at adult violence, particularly within the family. Marital violence, domestic violence, substance abuse, women and crime, and maltreatment of elders are all presented. The consensus of the study is that the eradication of violence is essential to a better world and is possible. Proof of its possibility is given in the concluding description of life in Ladakh, a peaceable society of Tibetans in northwestern India.

The world struggles with violent conflicts that are unsolvable and inevitable, as if they were part of human nature. Not true, says William Ury, a world famous, best-selling author and top-level negotiator. In this encouraging and startlingly original book, he and several colleagues provide new research and insights into human behavior and human nature which show that we are not, in fact, doomed to violent conflict. He outlines an innovative program for personal and community empowerment called The Third Side, which shows how we can intervene-both as individuals, and within organizations-to support healthy conflict while preventing destructive confrontation. Praise for William L. Ury "William Ury is an acknowledged authority on negotiating in difficult situations." _ John Kenneth Galbraith "Bill Ury has a remarkable ability to get to the heart of a dispute and find simple but innovative ways to resolve it." _ President Jimmy Carter