The Psychology of Restorative Justice Managing the Power Within [Hardcover]

This ground-breaking collection dares to take the next step in the advancement of an autonomous, inter-disciplinary restorative justice field of study. It brings together criminology, social psychology, legal theory, neuroscience, affect-script psychology, sociology, forensic mental health, political sciences, psychology and positive psychology to articulate for the first time a psychological concept of restorative justice. To this end, the book studies the power structures of the restorative justice movement, the very psychology, motivations and emotions of the practitioners who implement it as well as the drivers of its theoreticians and researchers. Furthermore, it examines the strengths and weakness of our own societies and the communities that are called to participate as parties in restorative justice. Their own biases, hunger for power and control, fears and hopes are investigated. The psychology and dynamics between those it aims to reach as well as those who are funding it, including policy makers and politicians, are looked into. All these questions lead to creating an understanding of the psychology of restorative justice. The book is essential reading for academics, researchers, policymakers, practitioners and campaigners.

 Foreword, Shadd Maruna; Introduction, Theo Gavrielides. Part I Developing Theory: Social Sciences Meet Psychology and Neuroscience: A micro-social psychology of restorative justice: the contribution of positioning theory, Giuseppe Maglione; The group and cultural context of restorative justice: a social psychological perspective, Julie Van de Vyver, Giovanni A. Travaglino, Milica Vasiljevic and Dominic Abrams; Towards a neuroscience of morality, Daniel Reisel; Restorative practices, affect script psychology and the social and emotional aspects of learning, Nicola Preston; Restorative justice and psychology: positivism in criminology again? A few theoretical reflections, Vasso Artinopoulou. Part II Critical Issues: The pslS)