Peace Psychology and Character Strengths

In this volume the sciences of peace psychology and character strengths integrate in a substantive way to examine how the positive parts of our personality can contribute and impact each “level” of peace - inner, relational, group, community, international, and ecological peace. Readers will discover a wide range of insights, models, and scholarship; new studies conducted for this volume; and practical strategies to bring greater peace to oneself, one’s relationships, and the world.

This volume, Peace Psychology and Character Strengths, is a thoroughgoing effort to integrate two areas of psychological inquiry and practice…Ryan Niemiec, the editor of this volume, is a thought leader in the science of well-being and character strengths. He has done a masterful job, bringing together an impressive roster of scholars…the reader of the present volume will be rewarded with a useful methodology and a provocative set of findings to guide the design of future research that explores the relationships between character strengths, peace, and human wellbeing.

-From the Foreword, by Daniel J. Christie

Is not the language of peace marked with forgiveness, kindness/compassion, and having a larger perspective/wisdom? Is it not layered with constructive dialogue marked by self-regulation (of our egoistic impulses), prudence (thinking before we speak), bravery (to speak to our vulnerabilities), social intelligence (to empathize with the other as human), and love (to value the other as human)? Does it not start with a curious question rather than a defiant statement? Is peace not about every step, every action we take using our perseverance and zest (passion) to steadfastly confront injustice and intolerance and ignorance but also to pursue fairness, open-mindedness, honesty/authenticity, and to do so with humility?

-From the Preface, by Ryan M. Niemiec

A barrierless world involves all 24 character strengths as instrumental, applicable, and impactful. Guided by such values, humans could develop a barrierless world...

-From Chapter 16, by Aghop Der-Karabetian and Raymond F. Paloutzian