The psychology of conflict and combat

Abstract

Shalit draws on the research he conducted as field psychologist in the Israeli military to offer an original behavioral model of combat that accounts for the fighting potential of an individual or group. His model is based on the appraisal process that the individual undertakes in combat conditions to assess a situation, whether it concerns him or not and regardless of his role. It is through this process that the individual makes a judgment, taking into consideration his past experience, knowledge, and expectations, that in turn leads to a course of action. Shalit pinpoints and describes specific aspects of the psychology of combat and conflict including the motivation to act in combat with special reference to the aggression drive; the definition of an enemy and the effects such appraisals have on behavior; the situational factors in heroic acts; and discipline and its affects on combat efficiency.

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