The Psychology of Restorative Justice : Managing the Power Within

This collection takes the next step in the advancement of an autonomous, inter-disciplinary restorative justice field of study and articulates for the first time a psychological concept of restorative justice. The book studies the power structures of the restorative justice movement, and the psychology of the practitioners, theoreticians and researchers who implement it, as well as the psychology of the policy makers and politicians who fund it. Furthermore, it examines the strengths and weakness of our own societies and the communities that are called to participate as parties in restorative justice.

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.