In Colors of Violence by Suhir Kakar, the intense conflict in India is portrayed by examining the situation from a psychoanalyst point of view. So far this year, our class has discussed religion, the many groups involved, their different belief systems, many different motivations, and a variety of actions that make up religious violence as we know it today.   As a psychology major, I am very much interested in this paradigm to attempt to understand the conflict more fully by including the individual and community psychology.  There is a lot that goes on in an individual's head when making decisions that may effect, not only one's own life but, the lives of those around you (friend and foe).  In Chapter 3, Kakar uses the Giessen test to compare and contrast 4 leaders within the Muslim-Hindu conflict.  The interesting findings are that these leaders have a lot in common.  They are not insane or out of control, but they like to be dominant and derive satisfaction from having control.  They also have a depressive tendency which they mask through various defensive mechanisms.  This data point suggests a question:  Do specific psychological characteristics direct one to become a "warrior" in a religious conflict?

The answer to that question is fuzzy; possibly, in part.  It would be rash to say that psychology is the direct cause and solution to every question (even though I would love to say that).  It is more accurate to say that psychology plays a critical role in determining who will rise up to lead/ be involved in religious violence.  Environmental factors, religion, and sociology also play vital roles.  Vivid experiences are but one method that provide for inception of revenge and the result of violence.  For instance, seeing your mother or father being murdered by "the other" will leave an emotional scar that could motivate you to become involved and take appropriate revenge.  Religion often provides the language and justification for violent acts.  Sociology, or the community and the ideals and morals of the individuals in your midst, has an impact that can pave an individual's future.

For example, we talked about the wrestlers in India and how the training arena taught the youngsters far more than just wrestling technique.  The gyms were wrought with religious pictures, warriors of years past, religious texts, and other inspiration.  Through training, wrestlers develop their minds according to their society. These wrestlers are chosen from a young age and grow up in a very different world than those outside of the wrestling lifestyle.  Not to say that one life is better than the other, my point is to say that society plays a bigger role on the development of youth than is generally believed.  How your parents discipline you, how often you went to McDonalds, which toys you played with, and what ideologies were present shape who you will become and what your will devote your life to.  Religious violence and the messages from the society through upbringing go hand in hand.