The relationship between attitudes toward direct violence, structural violence, cultural violence, war and peace

The purpose of this study is to explore attitudes and beliefs related to different types of violence in an attempt to provide a better understanding and a newer perspective on the issues of war and peace. A review of literature in the areas of violence, war, and peace suggested a conceptual link between different types of violence, war, and peace. Attitudes toward direct, structural, and cultural violence, war, and peace were defined as central concepts and their interrelationships were examined in this dissertation. A survey was given to 234 adults. Analysis of the data demonstrated statistically significant, positive relationships among the three types of violence as well as between war and different types of violence. In addition, statistically significant, negative relationships existed between different types of violence and peace. In a multiple regression, acceptance of direct, structural, and cultural violence appears to be a strong predictor of people's attitudes toward war and peace.;This study supports the notion that peace is more than absence of war and addresses the need for a broader definition of peace to include the absence of structural and cultural violence as well as direct violence. The implications for social change are discussed. The limitation of the study's participants, instruments, and interpretations are presented. This study supports continued exploration of the interrelationships between direct, structural and cultural violence and their role in inhibiting a culture of peace.