"Psychological concepts and processes in an interdisciplinary
understanding of Genocide: origins, prevention and reconciliation."

Ervin Staub, University of Massachusetts at Amherst

In the general genocide literature, there is surprisingly little use of
psychological concepts. A valid understanding of the roots and prevention of
genocide and mass killing, and of reconciliation after genocide or mass
killing between groups (which is essential when people continue to live
together, as in Rwanda, to avoid new violence) requires an interdisciplinary
approach. But the psychology of groups (and their individual members) is an
important component of such understanding. A model will be presented to
address these issues with psychological concepts and processes as
significant components of them. Among the concepts and processes these will
include, in the realm of understanding and prevention, the role of basic
human needs, a history of devaluation and ways to humanize the "other,"
psychological wounds due to past victimization and the healing of wounds,
combined with more structural elements such as unjust versus just social
arrangements and the absence of pluralism versus broad societal
participation in the public domain.  In the realm of reconciliation, these
concepts and processes will include truth, justice and a shared (in place of
conflicting) history.