States of Mind: Peace Education and Preventing Violent Extremism

Benjamin, Saija; Koirikivi, Pia; Gearon, Liam; Kuusisto, Arniika

doi:10.1007/978-3-658-36984-2_16

Cited by 2 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 56 publications

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“…Research has also recognized open-mindedness as a factor in dampening the adverse effects of perceived group injustice on violent extremism (Dhali et al, 2022;Rottweiler and Gill, 2022). In this light, open-mindedness, reflecting a 'growth mindset', the belief that one's qualities are cultivatable (Dweck and Yeager, 2019;Zhang et al, 2017), can be regarded as antithetical to extremist ways of thinking (Benjamin et al, 2022a;Cassam, 2019Cassam, , 2022.…”

Section: Ways Of Thinking -Closed Versus Open-mindednessmentioning

confidence: 99%

Safeguarding social justice and equality: Exploring Finnish youths’ ‘Intergroup Mindsets’ as a novel approach in the prevention of radicalization and extremism through education

Benjamin¹,

Koirikivi²,

Salonen

et al. 2023

Education, Citizenship and Social

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As part of citizenship education, the prevention of radicalization and extremism through education (PVE-E) is an urgent initiative of global educational policy. According to research, radicalized individuals, despite the ideology held, have mindsets that challenge equality and social justice. In this light, this study examines the intergroup mindsets of Finnish students aged 16–19 in vocational institutions through a mixed methods research survey ( n = 383). Three distinct intergroup mindsets were found in a profile analysis. The findings demonstrate that the intergroup mindsets of the students are predominantly egalitarian, open-minded, and inclusive. However, there are also students whose mindsets are anti-egalitarian and pro-dominance, and for whom Finnishness is a marker of borders and social exclusion. If intensified and manipulated, the views of these youth may become radicalized with serious implications for national security and societal cohesion.We argue that in PVE-E, the focus on critical thinking must be complemented with transformative approaches that support the development of mindsets based on social justice and equality.

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Section: Ways Of Thinking -Closed Versus Open-mindednessmentioning

confidence: 99%

Safeguarding social justice and equality: Exploring Finnish youths’ ‘Intergroup Mindsets’ as a novel approach in the prevention of radicalization and extremism through education

Benjamin¹,

Koirikivi²,

Salonen

et al. 2023

Education, Citizenship and Social

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…They recognize that perspective-taking requires exposure to diversity of viewpoints. The ability to challenge and change one's own viewpoints is regarded as key for developing open-mindedness [62,63] and epitomizes the goal of transformative learning [58]. However, as the following quote brings out, some students recognize that the knowledge provided at school is typically based on the viewpoints of majorities and thus biased:…”

Section: Metacognitive Skillsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While the students do not expect their teachers to be experts in subject knowledge regarding all possible viewpoints, they clearly want their teachers to be fair and respectful towards all students and all perspectives. Respect is an essential aspect in the creation of a safe space [62,68]. Previous studies have also recognized the important role of teachers in enhancing students' feelings of safety at school [77,78].…”

Section: Sense Of Belonging Segregationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The findings underlined the importance of a shared social (collective) identity in school that could be built around the ethos, values, and the expressive characteristics of the school and its community [84,85]. A shared social identity enables constructing positive and shared social norms and attitudes and viewing the whole school as a safe space rather than restricting this space to single teachers and classrooms [62]. It is important to realize that learning and attitude development are not bound by classroom walls and curricular contents but take place in everyday encounters in the school community [9].…”

Section: Sense Of Belonging Segregationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Addressing Hostile Attitudes in and through Education—Transformative Ideas from Finnish Youth

Benjamin

Koirikivi

Gearon

et al. 2022

Youth

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Amid global disturbances, the calls for educational institutions to promote peace and counter hostility intensify. However, policymakers and other adults typically draft the various programs developed for schools to pursue this mission. While young people have valuable insights into the realities and issues around them, their ideas are rarely solicited in this respect. This study contributes towards filling this gap by bringing insights from Finnish youth on how to address hostile attitudes and foster the development of more peaceful futures in and through education. The data were gathered through an online survey sent to students in upper-secondary education (16- to 20-year-olds) in Finland. The survey included an open-ended question on how schools could address hostile attitudes. In total, 2744 students answered this question, and their responses composed the data of this study. Through qualitative analysis, we found that their suggestions concerned both the academic and social dimensions of school education in addressing hostile attitudes. The students highlighted that to change people’s attitudes and beliefs, they need to know more, and most importantly, they need to know differently. They proposed self-reflection and dialogue as pedagogical tools for the critical examination of one’s taken-for-granted assumptions. The students’ ideas align well with the tenets of transformative learning, which could be valuable in developing educational approaches for more peaceful societies.

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States of Mind: Peace Education and Preventing Violent Extremism

Cited by 2 publications

References 56 publications

Safeguarding social justice and equality: Exploring Finnish youths’ ‘Intergroup Mindsets’ as a novel approach in the prevention of radicalization and extremism through education

Safeguarding social justice and equality: Exploring Finnish youths’ ‘Intergroup Mindsets’ as a novel approach in the prevention of radicalization and extremism through education

Addressing Hostile Attitudes in and through Education—Transformative Ideas from Finnish Youth

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