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Why Violence?: A Biopsychosocial Theory of Violence in Conflict
Presented by Ethan Finley, PhD Candidate
Despite a generally negative reputation, conflict is by no means always a bad thing. Conflict represents an opportunity for positive change and the mutual fulfillment of vital needs, provided it is handled constructively. Violence, on the other hand, is always the source of harm and suffering. Violence is just one of a wide variety of tactics that can be used in pursuit of goals in a conflict, and while it is actually used quite rarely relative to the overall prevalence of conflict, one need only glance at the headlines to see that it is still used tragically often. This begs a question of considerable importance for the field of conflict resolution: What leads some people to engage their conflicts in nonviolent ways while others choose violence instead? This talk ventures an answer to that question in the form of a general theory of violence in conflict, which emphasizes a constellation of three specific psychological factors that are hypothesized to make violence far more likely. Implications for principles and practices of conflict resolution and violence prevention will also be explored.
Ethan Finley is an M.S. graduate and current Ph.D. candidate and Graduate Lecturer at the School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution (S-CAR) at George Mason University in Arlington, Virginia. He is a conflict resolution and violence prevention scholar-practitioner with a background in practice, intervention design, research, and training.
Ethan has extensive experience in education as well as a background in the areas of crime victim advocacy, refugee and immigration assistance, human rights activism, and peacebuilding. In these capacities he has worked with or for the Institute for Multi-Track Diplomacy, Face to Face/Faith to Faith (Auburn Theological Seminary), Voices vs. Violence (Mental Health Association of Montgomery County, MD), the Amazon Alliance, and ICAR. In addition, between 2007 and 2009 Ethan helped lead Being Heard and Building Relationships in Prince William County, Virginia, a community conflict resolution initiative helping to bring conflict-oriented skills training and dialogue focused on the issue of immigration into that Northern Virginia community .
Ethan’s research interests include the nexus of violence, violence prevention, and nonviolence; innovations in interactive conflict resolution practice; human security in community; best practices in peace and conflict education; and spirituality and peacebuilding. He currently teaches a conflict resolution skills and practice course in ICAR’s undergraduate program.
Ethan holds a B.A. in Psychology (Summa Cum Laude) and a B.A. in Spanish Language and Literature (Magna Cum Laude), both from the University of Utah.