Richard V. Wagner

Peace Psychology for a Peaceful World

Although the literature in peace psychology has been growing rapidly, many American psychologists are unaware of how conflict is resolved and peace is conceptualized and achieved. This article reviews the long history and broadening scope of peace psychology and introduces a model of peace that is useful for organizing the literature. The model suggests that peace can be facilitated at four different points of intervention. The authors discuss relationships between positive and negative peace, structural and direct violence, and peacekeeping, peacemaking, and peacebuilding. They advance some challenges for peace psychologists and conclude that peace psychology is a crucial field for grappling with humanitys most pressing problems in the coming decades.

Psychologists and Military Interrogators Rethink the Psychology of Torture

Torture interrogation does not yield reliable information. The popular belief that “torture works” conflicts with effective non-abusive methodologies of interrogation and with fundamental tenets of psychology. These were the conclusions reached at a meeting of recently retired, senior U.S. Army interrogators and research psychologists who met to rethink the psychology of torture. This article introduces the military interrogators, the psychologists, and the themes explored. In the process, this article explains why competent interrogators do not require a definition of torture, discredits the “ticking bomb scenario,” and outlines the studies that comprise the meeting report, Torture is for Amateurs.

Sprinkling Psychology Courses With Peace

The field of psychology has paid little attention to the most crucial issue facing our world: the threat of nuclear devastation. We propose that psychology teachers help to promote a more active consideration of psychology and peace/war in the nuclear age by including the topic in their courses. We suggest specific ways to incorporate this issue into psychology courses, with special reference to courses in social psychology and personality.

Teaching in South America: Some Generalities

Based upon his own experience, the author presents ten cogent observations for the guidance of visiting psychologists, or for just extending our horizons.