PSYCHOLOGY, NEGOTIATION, AND PEACE

For a number of years psychologists and other behavioral scientists ha ve contributed concepts and research methods for investigating the nat ure of conflict and ways of dealing with conflicts in more constructiv e and less costly ways. Since the end of World War II and throughout t he Cold War, psychologists have focused increasingly on concepts that can be applied to international as well as interpersonal conflicts. Co nflicts and decision making have both positive and negative aspects. C onflicts can prove costly, as in destructive wars, even though they so metimes provide social and personal benefits such as inventions and ne w social structures. In some settings, conflicts grow, sometimes with explosive force. Psychologists have developed tactics and strategies t o describe and to deal with the processes involved, the escalation of conflicts into violence, and their deescalation through negotiation an d mediation into mutually satisfactory resolution. Negotiation can pro ve to be an effective way to stop or resolve disputes to the mutual sa tisfaction of parties by means of discussion and reciprocal concession s between adversaries. Psychologists have studied such concepts as rat ionality, framing, distrust and trust, all as they relate to negotiati on, mediation, and related forms of conflict resolution. Rationality, which can contribute to conflict resolution, comes in different forms, from optimizing to ''satisficing.'' Framing problems influences decis ions. Trust and distrust can be crucial factors in the resolution of c onflicts. Effective resolution of conflicts can contribute to the prod uction and maintenance of peace and thus to improved quality of life.