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MULTIMEDIA
May 26, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 

Psychological factors in the Kurdish initiative process (1)
by
MEDAİM YANIK*

27 August 2009 / ,
The psychological dimension of the Kurdish problem is becoming a topic of increasing interest as the debate on the Kurdish initiative continues. Unfortunately, a healthy debate on the essence and content of the psychological dimension in question has not been launched.
The main reason the debate has not been launched is because the mentality and concept vocabulary of sociology and political science are not enough to understand and define psychological factors and because psychology centers on individual-centered analyses. In this regard, there may be more benefit in taking advantage of the opportunities offered by political psychology, which is an intermediary discipline.

It is of paramount importance to pay heed, define and analyze the psychological factors in the process we are undergoing because building awareness and understanding psychological factors will provide the opportunity to understand how to react and consequently increase the chances of reaching a solution. With this in mind, the aim of this article is to draw attention to the potential psychological factors involved in the Kurdish initiative.

To say that the process of finding a solution to the Kurdish problem has started and to invite all segments of society to participate in this process is a very important “psychological message.” Inviting people to contemplate, discuss, debate, communicate and socially participate is the oldest known method of decreasing conflict. The most effective way to minimize hostilities is by building a social relationship with the person across from you or your addressee. When we don't communicate with others and discuss the matter only among ourselves, we deem others negative and bad. But when we develop social ties, prejudices can be reduced and empathy can be established. It is for this reason that face-to-face communication or coming together with others in the same arena to discuss the solution process should be constantly encouraged.

One of the most important rehabilitative factors in psychological studies is “creating hope.”  Those who are managing the solution process must keep the hope of finding a solution at a reasonable level. Statements such as “There will be good developments concerning the Kurdish problem” and “We are determined to solve this problem regardless of its cost” are messages that create hope. Moreover, making statements such as “Come, let's solve the problem together; let's prevent new pains from happening; let's build a better future” in a sincere and confident way is necessary to accelerate the solution process on a positive psychological course. As important as it is to create a reasonable amount of hope, it is also important to not create too much expectation. Being too positive may lead to the perception that the complex and difficult nature of the issue and the pain it has caused hasn't been fully understood. I suspect the process will swing back and forth between hope and despair. Another psychological factor is the trust/distrust dilemma. Prolonged conflicts and deadlocks will cause parties to lose trust in each other. Trust is the most basic requirement for parties that come together to solve a problem. Most likely the process will see basic actors go back and forth from trusting to not trusting each other.

While interactive discussion is being encouraged, there should be an effort to build a “communication language.” Debating the problem and possible solutions develops a positive and sincere communicative language that tries to understand the problem, and the other side may have a positive effect on the process. It is especially important that a sincere and embracing language that is respectful towards the Kurdish people and that honors them is used. But it is very likely that from time to time a hostile, threatening and incriminatory language will come into play. It can be difficult to be calm when discussing issues of a process that has been marked by 25 years of conflict and that has killed 40,000 people. How many people can even keep calm when arguing with their spouse? The biggest danger is that the language of the process focuses on concepts such as betrayal and treason. This kind of language is already being used, and I anticipate that it will become more widespread.

*Medaim Yanık is a professor of psychiatry at İstanbul Şehir University. 

 
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