Relational identity theory: a systematic approach for transforming the emotional dimension of conflict.
Emotions are a vital dimension in conflicts among nation-states and communities affiliated by common ethnic, economic, or political interests. Yet the individuals most responsible for managing such conflicts--heads of state, CEOs, intellectual or religious leaders--are often blind to the psychological forces affecting their interests. During 20 years of international research, consulting, and teaching, I have developed a program for teaching thought leaders how to apply psychological principles to achieve their aims while also reducing negative outcomes such as violence, social upheaval, and economic displacement. In this article, I present relational identity theory (RIT), a theoretical and intellectual framework I have originated to help people understand and deal with key emotional dimensions of conflict management. I argue that national and communal bonds are essentially tribal in nature, and I describe how a tribe's unaddressed relational identity concerns make it susceptible to what I term the tribes effect, a rigidification of its relational identity. I provide strategies based on RIT for mitigating the tribes effect and thus enhancing global security.
Shapiro
Daniel L
DL
Harvard International Negotiation Program, Harvard Medical School/McLean Hospital, and Harvard Law School, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA. DLShapiro@law.harvard.edu
D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D004644:Emotions; D006801:Humans; D008960:Models, Psychological; D017008:Negotiating / Q000523:psychology; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D012649:Self Concept; D012933:Social Identification