This book provides an up-to-date integration of some of the most recent developments in social psychological research on social conflict and aggression, one of the most perennial and puzzling topics in all of psychology. It offers an informative, scholarly yet readable overview of recent advances in research on the nature, antecedents, management, and consequences of interpersonal and intergroup conflict and aggression. The chapters share a broad integrative orientation, and argue that human conflict is best understood through the careful analysis of the cognitive, affective, and motivational processes of those involved in conflict situations, supplemented by a broadly-based understanding of the evolutionary, biological, as well as the social and cultural contexts within which social conflict occurs.

Contents

Part 1. Introduction and Basic Issues. J.P. Forgas, A. Kruglanski, K.D. Williams, The Psychology of Social Conflict and Aggression: Homo Aggressivus Revisited. M. Mikulincer, P. Shaver, An Attachment Perspective on Interpersonal and Intergroup Conflict. K. Williams, E.D. Wesselman, The Link Between Ostracism and Aggression. D.S. Richardson, G.S. Hammock, Is It Aggression? Perceptions of and Motivations for Passive and Psychological Aggression. D. Ames, Pushing Up to a Point: The Psychology of Interpersonal Assertiveness. Part 2. Cognitive and Affective Influences on Conflict and Aggression. L.N. Pontus, T.L. Chartrand, Nonconscious Battles of Will: Implicit Reactions Against the Goals and Motives of Others. A.D. Galinsky, D. Gilin, W.W. Maddux, Using Both Your Head and Your Heart: The Role of Perspective-Taking and Empathy in Resolving Social Conflict. J.P. Forgas, H.B. Tan, Affective Influences on the Perception, Management and Resolution of Social Conflicts. T.F. Denson, E.C. Fabiansson, The Effects of Anger and Anger Regulation on Negotiation. A. Kruglanski, E. Orehek, The Role of the Quest for Personal Significance in Motivating Terrorism. Part 3. Conflict and Aggression in Reips. C. Eckhardt, Intimate Partner Violence: Cognitive, Affective and Relational Factors. G. Fitzsimmons, J.E. Anderson, Interdependent Goals and Relationship Conflict. L. Zadro, Silent Rage: When Being Ostracized Leads to Aggression. L.B. Luchies, E. Finkel, The Doormat Effect: On the Dangers of Resolving Conflict via Unilateral Forgiveness. Part 4. Social, Cultural, and Evolutionary Factors in Social Conflict and Aggression. M. Van Vugt, The Male Warrior Hypothesis. C.A. Anderson, M. De Lisi, Implications of Global Climate Change for Violence in Developed and Developing Countries. E. Donnerstein, The Media and Aggression: From TV to the Internet. R. Kurzban, J. Christner, Are Supernatural Beliefs Commitment Devices for Intergroup Conflict? R. Huesmann, E. Dubow, P. Boxer, The Effect of Religious Participation on Aggression Over One’s Lifetime and Across Generations.