Understanding decision-making in conflict: Group power, norms and cost-benefit analyses

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Conflict is common and costly. Racial, religious, and political groups waste time, money, energy, and even lives when conflicts stagnate or escalate. But researchers still can't predict when groups will cooperate and solve problems quickly, or when others with similar grievances will avoid the issues, allow them to escalate, or erupt into violence. This research looks at the psychological processes that shape so-called 'irrational' conflict behaviour. It tests the idea that group-level factors, such as identity, power, and norms, can explain the logic of 'senseless' apathy, grumbling, and violence. The results will improve our ability both to predict conflict dynamics and to manage them.