The 20th century was marked by genocide both before and after the Holocaust, from the genocide of the Herero in Namibia to a host of ongoing genocides around the globe. Rummel (2011) estimated that, during the last century, 262 million individuals were murdered due to instances of ethnic cleansing, politicide, genocide, and other forms of state terror by governments. Scholars such as Power (2002) and Totten and Parsons (2002) have routinely referred to the 20th century as the “century of genocide.” Unfortunately, it appears that the 21st century will be just as bloody, with genocides continuing in states across the globe such as Myanmar, Syria, South Sudan, Somalia, North Korea, Sudan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Iraq, Myanmar, Democratic Republic of Congo, Yemen, Central African Republic, Nuba Mountains, and Cameroon, with other states in preparation, at-risk, or in denial of genocide (Genocide Watch, 2017). Ultimately, genocide and state terror are human endeavors. As noted by the American Psychological Association (2008), "Psychology is in a unique position to both inform our understanding of the causes and solutions to genocide." This poster highlights a course aimed at introducing students to the basic concepts related to the psychosocial roots of genocide and state terror. Students explore topics ranging from what enables individuals to disengage morally when killing their neighbors to processes of post-genocide reconciliation and reconstruction. Course Sharing: Psychosocial Roots of Genocide and State Terror
Linda M. Woolf, PhD
Webster University, Department of Psychology
Poster Download
Links to Courses
Additional Resources
Woolf, L. M., & Hulsizer, M. R. (2005). Psychosocial roots of genocide: risk, prevention, and intervention. Journal of Genocide Research, 7, 101-128.Woolf, L. M. (2016). Teaching psychology: Infusing human rights. Psychology Teacher Network, 26(1).
Hulsizer, M. R., & Woolf, L. M. (2012). Enhancing the role of international human rights in the psychology curriculum. Psychology Learning and Teaching, 11, 382-387.
Psychology Today Blog Site: The Fight Against Hate
Woolf, L. M. (2017, August 21). Mom? Dad? Can I have lunch with a Nazi? Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-fight-against-hate/201708/mom-dad-can-i-have-lunch-naziWoolf, L. M. & Hulsizer, M. R. (2011). Peace and war. In R. L. Miller, E. Balcetis, S. R. Burns, D. B. Daniel, B. K. Saville, & W. D. Woody (Eds.), Promoting student engagement (Vol. 2, pp. 225-229).Woolf, L. M. (2017, August 13). Responding to Hate: Should We Just "Love One Another"? Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-fight-against-hate/201708/responding-hate-should-we-just-love-one-another
Woolf, L. M. (2015, August 4). APA, torture, and context. Psychology Today.
Woolf, L. M. (2015, August 4). End psychology's role in national security interrogations. Psychology Today.
Woolf, L. M. (2015, July 13). Torture, APA, and the Hoffman Report: What now?. Psychology Today.
Woolf, L. M. (2008). The Holocaust: Lessons not learned. Peace Psychology, 17(2), 1, 16-20.
Woolf, L. M., & Hulsizer, M. R. (2005). Torture? But this is different! Peace Psychology, 14(2), 3-4.
Woolf, L. M., & Hulsizer, M. R. (2004). Hate groups for dummies: How to build a successful hate group. Humanity and Society, 28, 40-62.
Woolf, L. M., & Hulsizer, M. R. (2004). OTRP Curriculum Resource I: Psychology of Peace and Mass violence -- Genocide, Torture, and Human Rights: Informational Resources (2004)
This 27-page document contains two annotated bibliographies of materials on genocide, torture, and human rights issues written from a psychosocial perspective. The first bibliography includes major journal articles, book chapters, books, and Internet resources on these issues organized by topic. The second bibliography is comprised of reference materials for background information and further study. In addition, there is an annotated list of relevant journals. Available for free download (PDF format)Woolf, L. M., & Hulsizer, M. R. (2004). OTRP Curriculum Resource II: Psychology of Peace and Mass Violence -- War, Ethnopolitical Conflict, and Terrorism: Informational Resources (2004)
This 30-page document contains an annotated bibliography of materials on war, ethnopolitical conflict, terrorism, and peace issues written from a psychosocial perspective. The bibliography includes major journal articles, book chapters, books, and Internet resources on these issues organized by topic. In addition, there is an annotated list of relevant journals. Available for free download (PDF format)Woolf, L. M., & Hulsizer, M. R. (2004). OTRP Curriculum Resource III: Psychology of Peace and Mass Violence: Instructional Resources (2004)
This 33-page document consists of resource materials for developing whole courses and lectures on mass violence and peace. For incorporating specific topics into existing courses, lecture suggestions and selected references are given. For developing and revising whole courses, sample syllabi are provided. In addition, lists of relevant videotapes, Internet sites/listservs, and professional organizations are included. Available for free download (PDF format)Woolf, L. M., & Hulsizer, M. R. (2002/2003). Intra- and inter- religious hate and violence: A psychosocial model. Journal of Hate Studies, 2, 5-26.