Abstract

The purpose of this dissertation is to demonstrate the usefulness of the construct nonviolence to the field of psychology. It is proposed that the study of nonviolence is useful to psychology in several ways. First, a focus on nonviolence is proposed as a way to expand the way violence is understood. This is done by reframing violence as reflecting on a newly defined problem---lack of nonviolence. ;To illustrate the implications and usefulness of this reframe, within this dissertation, nonviolence is thoroughly described and defined. This is done through a review of the psychological literature on nonviolence as well as through a review of the literature on nonviolence including multidisciplinary perspectives . ;In addition, to further support the argument for the usefulness of nonviolence to psychology, a nexus will be created between nonviolence and two areas of applied psychology, feminist psychology and community psychology. It will be shown how both community psychologists and feminist psychologists already utilize aspects of nonviolence in their theory and practice. It is proposed that emphasizing nonviolence within these disciplines offers promise for the prevention of violence and at very least provides a fertile area for the future study and practice of nonviolence within psychology