Professor Charis Psaltis of the Department of Psychology of the University of Cyprus , in collaboration with Professor Brady Wagoner (University of Copenhagen), has just published the edited volume Conflict and Change: Integrating Social and Developmental Psychology, from Cambridge University Press. The book consists of two parts.

The first part presents a theoretical integration of social and developmental psychology in the study of ethnic conflict and conflict transformation and a review and synthesis of research with representative samples from both communities in Cyprus on how members of the two communities view intercommunal relations and the Cyprus problem from the opening of the checkpoints in 2003 until today.

The second part brings together leading international scholars to comment on the interdisciplinary framework of Genetic Social Psychology developed by Professor Charis Psaltis and to examine how psychological processes shape conflict, cooperation, and social transformation.

The volume bridges two scientific fields that have traditionally operated independently—social psychology and developmental psychology—offering an integrated, interdisciplinary framework for understanding conflict and change throughout the lifespan.

The volume holds unique significance for the Cypriot reality, as it includes rich empirical data from representative surveys of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots collected from 2003—the year of the opening of the checkpoints—until today, describing a reality of Cyprus's contemporary history unknown to the general public.

This long-term database enables:

1. Understanding of historical trends in the views of the two communities regarding forms of solution to the Cyprus problem
2. Study of changes in attitudes toward the solution of the Cyprus issue
3. Monitoring of fluctuations in trust, contact, and intentions for cooperation
4. Analysis of the psychological mechanisms that strengthen either convergence or distance between the two sides, with special discussion of the educational system and particularly the teaching of History
5. In this way, the book combines social and developmental approaches with one of the richest empirical databases on intercommunal relations in Cyprus, offering substantial tools to those involved in policy design, negotiation, and peacebuilding, as well as the educational system in Cyprus.

Thematic Axes of the Volume

The volume examines critical questions concerning:

• The formation of prejudice and identity in children
• The development of perceptions about the Cyprus issue in childhood and adolescence
• Intercommunal relations and contact
• Socialization processes in polarized post-conflict environments
• The psychological mechanisms that lead both to the escalation of conflict and to the creation of conditions for peace

Statement by Professor Psaltis

"My ambition is to contribute towards a more integrated understanding of the social psychological subject and its development and for politicians in any post-conflict setting to finally become acquainted with the social developmental mechansisms that can lead to conflict tranformation and reconciliation. The aim of the volume is to promote an integrated, unified perspective on how conflicts develop and how they can be transformed,"

"Particularly for Cyprus, the long-term data collection from both communities allows us to track evolving trends in intercommunal attitudes and perceptions regarding the solution of the Cyprus problem from 2003 onwards. We hope that researchers, educators, professionals, and policymakers will find in the book both theoretical knowledge and practical tools to take into account citizens' views for the design of a solution to the Cyprus problem."

Target Audience

Conflict and Change is addressed to researchers and professionals in the fields of:

• Psychology (Social and Developmental)
• Education
• Conflict and Peace Studies
• Political Science
• Sociology

Book Availability

The book is available from Cambridge University Press:

https://www.cambridge.org/9781009393126

Media Contact:

Professor Charis Psaltis Department of Psychology University of Cyprus Tel. 22892077 Email: cpsaltis@ucy.ac.cy