Psychologist researches conflict - hope for peace through empathy!

Psychologist researches conflict - hope for peace through empathy!

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains one of the most complex and emotionally charged issues in world politics. Current research projects aim to reduce the deep-rooted hostilities between the two groups and promote better understanding of each other. Psychologist Timur Sevincer from the Leuphana University of Lüneburg examines the psychological mechanisms behind these conflicts to find ways to promote openness and dialogue.

The project, which is supported with funding of 500,000 euros, is in collaboration with the Humboldt University Berlin, the University of California and the University of Jerusalem. Financing is provided by the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture and the Volkswagen Foundation. The project will run for three years and aims to develop measures that will help reduce intransigence.

Emotions in conflict

Recently, perceptions of the conflict have continued to intensify, particularly following the terrorist attacks of October 7, 2023 and the ongoing clashes in the Gaza Strip. Anti-Israeli and anti-Arab attitudes have increased both in the Arab world and in Israel, which is also noticeable in Germany and the USA. Among the antipathies that harden the fronts is the perception of a threat to one's own group. Sevincer's research examines how such perceptions can promote negative attitudes toward other groups.

He supplemented his analysis with insights from Oliver Fink, a political scientist who studies the emotional dimension of the conflict. Loud University of Basel The conflict is characterized by negative emotions such as humiliation, hatred and anger, which increase the affinity for violence. Fink, who lived and researched in Jerusalem for three years, describes how humiliating experiences, such as at checkpoints, increase the willingness to use violence. Such negative emotions can be reinforced in a cycle of revenge and retaliation, making peaceful solutions seem almost impossible.

Approaches to conflict resolution

Sevincer specifically examines whether interventions that target psychological processes can help positively influence attitudes in conflict. One approach is to use self-affirmations to promote positive thoughts. This is being tested in Israel, Germany and the US on various groups, including pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel activists.

Fink's research also shows that empathetic encounters and shared experiences of loss can interrupt the spiral of hatred and revenge. He points out how personal relationships, such as that between a Palestinian activist and an Israeli prison guard, can lead to a change of heart. Such findings are crucial because they suggest that empathy can not only emerge by chance but can also be fostered through targeted mediations and workshops.

Sevincer's study could therefore not only contribute to the scientific discussion, but also generate practical applications for educators and conflict resolution professionals. The research results will help create video-based interventions that can be used in practice. The aim is to promote more peaceful coexistence in the long term by better understanding the emotional and psychological basis of the conflict.