structural violence

Structural violence, as described by Pythagoras, is a subtle yet pervasive form of harm that slowly kills people by denying them basic needs. This contrasts with direct violence, which causes immediate injury or death. Peace psychology, an area of study within psychology, aims to prevent violence and conflict and to mitigate their effects. It also seeks to develop methods for promoting peace.1

The concept of structural violence is linked to social structure, which refers to the stable arrangement of institutions through which people interact and live together. Social change, on the other hand, involves any alteration in social relations. Peace psychology explores the roots of violence, including structural and cultural factors, to understand and address these issues.231