The Social Psychology of Intractable Conflicts ― Celebrating the Legacy of Daniel Bar-tal

This volume works explores a transferable theory of a specific social-psychological infrastructure, based on the work of Dr. Daniel Bar-Tal, that develops from cultures immersed in intractable conflicts. The book's approach to this issue is different from approaches that are predominant in social psychology. This is because an important inspiration of many scholars that contributed to the book is their everyday experience of living in a region where intractable conflict shapes the life's of everybody who lives there. On the basis of this experience and on the basis of extensive research, an elaborate theory of intractable conflict was developed that deals with the origin of such conflicts, the mechanisms that maintain them, and the processes that may contribute to their peaceful solution. In light of recent research and developments, this volume demonstrates, analyzes and reviews the theory of a social-psychological infrastructure formed in societies with intractable conflicts. It explores the contents of these elements of the infrastructure, the processes through which they are acquired and maintained, their functions, the societal mechanisms that contribute to their institutionalization, as well as their role in the crystallization of social identity and development of a culture of conflict. By demonstrating that it can be applied to various kinds of intractable conflicts in various places of world, the volume argues that the theory is transferable and universal. Moreover, the volume aims to exhibit new connections and integrations between Bar-Tal's theories and other prominent theoretical frameworks in social and political psychology. Presenting both a comprehensive overview of works that have been influenced by Bar-Tal's theories and research, as well as a wide gate to future studies that will connect Bar-Tal’s work to recent theoretical developments in related domains, Understanding the Social Psychology of Intractable Conflicts: Celebrating the Legacy of Daniel Bar Tal is an important text for all those interested in developing a sustainable, peaceful world.

Keren Sharvit is a lecturer in the Program for Peace and Conflict Management Studies and the Department of Psychology at the University of Haifa. She received her Ph.D. from Tel Aviv University in 2008 and completed postdoctoral training at the Swiss Center for Conflict Research, Management and Resolution, Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park. Her research concerns societal belief systems that develop in times of intractable conflict and their role in assisting processes of coping with distress resulting from exposure to violence on the other hand and in facilitating avoidance of unpleasant emotional experiences resulting from harmful behavior toward the rivals on the other hand. In studying these processes her research touches on processes of motivated reasoning and emotion regulations and their societal implications in the context of intractable conflict. Her work on these topics has been published in journals such as JCR, JPR and EJSP.

Eran Halperin is an associate professor at the new school of psychology at the IDC, Herzliya. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Haifa in 2007 (summa cum laude) and completed postdoctoral training (through a Fulbright Scholarship) at the Department of Psychology, Stanford University, in 2008. He serves as an associate editor of the international journal of Political Psychology and in 2012 was awarded the Erikson award for early career achievements in the field. Dr. Halperin’s main line of research focuses on the role of emotions and emotion regulation in determining public opinion towards peace and equality, on the one hand and towards war and discrimination, on the other. In addition, he is interested in the psychological roots of some of the most destructive political ramifications of intergroup conflicts (e.g., intolerance, exclusion and intergroup violence). The unique case of Israeli society in general and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in particular, motivates his work and inspires his thinking. His recent work on these issues has been published in Science. Additionally, in recent years, he has published articles in journals such as JPSP, JESP, Psychological Science, JCR, BJPS, Political Psychology and JPR.