Although the psychiatrists have consistently let society down with the development of a destructive discipline of death, as often reported upon by the Citizens Commission on Human Rights, it's refreshing to see some American psychologists have been instead pursuing the enlightening concept of peace. In a news release on Oct. 17, 2013, UMass Amherst reported, "UMass Amherst Social Psychologists Say War is Not Inevitable, Psychology Research Should Promote Peace and Nonviolence."

The American Psychological Association writes that the "Society for the Study of Peace, Conflict and Violence: Peace Psychology Division," is working to promote peace in the world at large and within nations, communities and families. It encourages psychological a multidisciplinary approach towards applying the knowledge and methods of psychology for the advancement of peace and prevention of violence and destructive conflict.

Political psychologists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst say an understanding of a psychological perspective on the causes of war and violence can and should be used to promote peace and overturn the belief that violent conflict is inevitable. Linda Tropp of UMass Amherst’s Psychology of Peace and Violence program says that psychology’s contributions can go beyond understanding the origins and nature of violence to actually promoting nonviolence and peace. Tropp has said she and her colleagues oppose the view that war is inevitable. They have argued that understanding the psychological roots of conflict have the potential to increase the likelihood of avoiding violence as a way to resolve conflicts with others.

This is an enlightening perspective on what can be done in a positive sense with psychology in an era when the United States must cope with allegations that psychological warfare has been used during interrogations of enemy combatants leading to literal torture. Divisiveness of unprecedented proportions has occurred among Americans themselves dealing with the issue of psychological torture with peace activists insisting the United States should never accept setting aside it's commitment made during the rise of Nazi Germany and genocide across Europe during the 1930s and 1940s to never step back from taking a morale and ethical high ground in dealing with humanity.

It is refreshing to see some American psychologists showing a commitment to work for peace, instead of conflict and war. This is a dangerous era wherein terrorists worldwide now have the respect Hitler and Eichmann had when they attended dinner parties in Paris. And with the emergence of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction mankind could cease to exist in a flash. So let us hope with more psychologists working to nurture the psychology of peace instead of the psychology of hate and war, mankind may once again survive. A careful consideration of this more positive mindset actually has the power to begin to effect immediate positive psychological changes in many people.

The Harold Mandel, MD Natural Mental Health Care Reform Association

MandelNews.com