The Conflict Expert

Conflict not only influences our behaviour and world-view but it also re-wires our brain, especially when that conflict has been going on for a long time and has been traumatic. Professor Mari Fitzduff, illustrates how inter-generational wars create long-lasting effects on our psyche and this can be passed down to our children and beyond.

Professor Fitzduff emphasizes that:

• Instincts and Emotions in Conflict influence societal conflict and wars more often than by logic.
• Physiological and Genetic Tendencies can unconsciously fuel negative attitudes toward other groups, lead individuals to prefer authoritarian leaders, and even drive peaceful individuals toward violence.

Professor Fitzduff suggests that by acknowledging and better managing these inherent tendencies, societies can more effectively foster both international and societal peace.

1. Genetic Predispositions Toward Conflict and Group Bias

Significantly, humans have an evolutionary tendency to favour those within their perceived group (ethnic, religious, national) and to distrust or dehumanize outsiders. This is partly linked to genes associated with social bonding and fear responses.

Group bonding and loyalty is encouraged by the love hormone, oxytocin which strengthens those bonds and encourages hostility to outsiders during conflict.

2. Brain Structures and Conflict Responses

The amygdala, the brain’s fear-processing center, plays a role in triggering aggressive or defensive reactions in conflicts. People with heightened amygdala responses may be more prone to perceiving threats and reacting aggressively.

The prefrontal cortex, responsible for reasoning and self-control, helps regulate impulsive behaviors. However, stress and prolonged exposure to conflict can impair its functioning, making people more reactive.

Higher levels of testosterone are linked to dominance-seeking behavior, which can escalate conflicts, particularly in hierarchical societies or among authoritarian leaders.

3. Epigenetics and Conflict Behavior

Studies in epigenetics suggest that prolonged exposure to violence or war can lead to genetic markers being passed down, increasing the likelihood of aggressive or fearful responses in future generations. This is observed in communities with histories of oppression or conflict.

4. Political Psychology and Leadership Preferences

People with stronger amygdala responses to threats are more likely to support authoritarian leaders who promise security. This has been observed in voter behavior during times of national crises.

How This Knowledge Helps in Peacebuilding

By recognizing these biological factors, peacebuilders can design conflict resolution strategies that account for emotional and instinctive reactions, rather than relying solely on rational arguments.

A great example of this is post-war Rwanda which countered fear-based narratives by promoting cross-group empathy using radio programs which narrated fictional dramas.

By replacing fear-driven propaganda with stories of cooperation and shared humanity, these programs helped reduce intergroup hostility.

Neuroscience shows that oxytocin increases in-group favoritism. However, when people interact positively with an out-group, their brain rewires to see them as part of their social circle. Programs like Seeds of Peace, bring together Israeli and Palestinian teens for joint activities, discussions, and team-building exercises. After weeks of cooperation, participants showed reduced amygdala reactivity to out-group faces and increased empathy. Social exposure and cooperative tasks trigger positive oxytocin release, shifting the brain’s perception of the “enemy” into a more neutral or even friendly category.

In Colombia, after the peace deal with FARC rebels, ex-combatants were offered cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to help control impulsive aggression.

Since research shows that trauma and high testosterone can lead to aggression, these programs used mindfulness and cognitive reappraisal techniques to strengthen prefrontal cortex control over emotional reactions. As a result, many former fighters were able to reintegrate into civilian life without reverting to violence.

These neuroscience-based peace strategies prove that conflict resolution isn’t just about diplomatic talks—it’s about understanding human biology and rewiring conflict instincts for long-term peace.

What it also shows is what a driving force fear can be in our political choices and in the conflicts we wage against each other. Fear and ignorance of an outsider group, as well as genetic tendencies to favour our own group, keep our prejudices alive.

This is just as important for our inter-personal conflicts and my next blog post will focus on how we can create peaceful resolutions, armed with this knowledge.