Citation
Lowe, M., Fry, D.P. and Ireland, N.G.-K.a.J.L. (2014), "Editorial", Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research, Vol. 6 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/JACPR-02-2014-0008
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Editorial
Article Type: Editorial From: Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research, Volume 6, Issue 2.
Welcome to Issue 6.2 of the Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research. This issue provides the reader with a mix of four theoretically and practically based papers from perspectives across disciplines. Once again, we have put together this issue with an international audience in mind, this time covering research relating to gang cultures that are in conflict with society, the qualitative study of conflict analysis, access to services for domestic violence victims via Family Justice Centres, and the effects of terrorism on work attitudes. Further information on each paper now follows.
Our first paper is authored by Kacey Shap and examines the components of gang cultures that are in conflict with society. Specifically, it explores how gangs themselves, the community, and law enforcers externalise such gang cultures. This paper argues that by identifying the various cultural components of gangs that are in conflict with the larger society, one may be better able to formulate an effective intervention program that emphasis culture and conflict rather than crime and punishment. Overall, findings could be used in the future to assess the success of previous or current gang intervention programs.
Our second paper, authored by Azamat Temirkulov is intriguingly entitled the “Conflict volcano”. Its purpose is to offer scholars a new instrument – the “Conflict volcano” that could be an effective and appropriate tool for conflict analysis. This model was designed as a qualitative method for conflict analysis with a focus on causal mechanisms. The benefit of this model is that it covers all aspects of conflict, starting from root cause to catalysts and can reveal a wide range of causes: material, immaterial, and institutional. This helps practitioners to determine what should be considered cause and effect. The application of the “Conflict volcano” for early warning and peace making also has potential for the future.
Our third paper of this issue, by Christine Murray and colleagues regards Family Justice Centres, or “one-stop shops” that enable domestic violence victims to access a range of services at one location. Currently, research examining the outcomes and planning processes of these Centres is limited. In this study, 15 stakeholders in a community in the early phases of planning a Centre were interviewed. Content analysis procedures were used to identify themes related to participants’ ideas about what the centre should encompass, the steps required for planning, recruiting key personnel, building collaborations, and desired technologies. Results inform those planning similar projects in the future.
The final paper is authored by José Antonio Muñoz-Reyes and colleagues, and studies seasonal differences in aggression amongst Chilean adolescents. Utilising observational methods, aggressive behaviours in two schools were investigated and 32 aggressive interactions between dyads of male adolescents (14-18 years old) were recorded. Findings revealed that aggressive initiation and frequency were higher during the warm season (i.e. spring) rather than the cold season (autumn-winter). However, the intensity of aggression was highest during the cold season. The overall results broadly support classic models that currently explain seasonal differences in aggressive behaviours. The authors conclude that seasonal differences must be taken into account as an impact factor over the frequency of adolescent male aggression in schools.
As always, the current issue of the Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research proffers a broad-ranging scope to the extension of work into aggression, conflict and peace studies, utilising mixed methodologies, and a mix of review papers and practice-based work. The editorial team welcomes new submissions from a wide range of subject areas, theoretical backgrounds, and methodologies that further our theoretical and practical understanding of human aggression conflict and peace. We welcome submissions from academics, practitioners and policy makers alike. Submissions should be made through our ScholarOne site: http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/jacpr
Michelle Lowe, Douglas P. Fry, Nicola Graham-Kevan and Jane L. Ireland