People who experience the effects of war early in their lives are likely to seek greater solidarity within their group and do all they can to ensure equality between members is achieved.

New findings by Joseph Heinrich of the University of British Columbia and Michal Bauer of Charles University in Prague and their team, which saw them gather data relating to 543 children from the Republic of Georgia, show there is a link between the effects of war and human psychology.
 
Information from 586 adults in Sierra Leone following an 11-year war in the African country that ended in 2002 was also analysed.
 
The research was published in Psychological Science and Mr Heinrich explained it reveals why conflict can lead to cycles of war and, in some cases, trigger nation-building in its aftermath.
 
"These 'war effects' emerge in the short-term and, importantly, they have long-term impact on psychology if war is experienced during middle childhood and adolescence," stated Mr Bauer.
 
Mr Bauer and Mr Heinrich studied the idea of people who live close to war finding greater solidarity with others and prioritising their wellbeing, as their own survival is often linked to the overall success of their group.

The British Psychological Society will be commemorating the start of World War One next year.
 
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