The Psychology of Conflict and Combat - by Ben Shalit (Hardcover)

About the Book

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.

Book Synopsis

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.

Review Quotes

?The author, a battle-experienced psychologist, presents a highly theoretical analysis of such conflict/combat concepts as aggression, courage, and discipline. Chapters deal with the important concept of aggression and assessing soldier coping and combat potential; one chapter is titled 'Lebanon - The Face of Battle.' Although the volume begins with a riveting personal description of the author's battle experience. Shalit's engrossing writing style is quickly replaced by a pedantic dissertation mode of writing. It is a solid academic work, yet few social science students will be greatly informed about the psychology of conflict and combat when the author resorts to symbols and equations for explanation. Contains an excellent bibliography.?-Choice

"The author, a battle-experienced psychologist, presents a highly theoretical analysis of such conflict/combat concepts as aggression, courage, and discipline. Chapters deal with the important concept of aggression and assessing soldier coping and combat potential; one chapter is titled 'Lebanon - The Face of Battle.' Although the volume begins with a riveting personal description of the author's battle experience. Shalit's engrossing writing style is quickly replaced by a pedantic dissertation mode of writing. It is a solid academic work, yet few social science students will be greatly informed about the psychology of conflict and combat when the author resorts to symbols and equations for explanation. Contains an excellent bibliography."-Choice

About the Author

BEN SHALIT was an Associate Professor at the National Defense Research Institute in Sweden.