Collegial Communication Principles for the IPhA Community
Our Foundation
The International Psychohistorical Association thrives on meaningful dialogue that honors both scholarly rigor and human connection. As scholars and clinicians passionate about history and psychology, we explore what has happened, who did what, and the complex motives that shape historical events, including those of our own time. Our shared purpose extends beyond academic inquiry to contributing to healing in our world, exploring solutions to conflicts, and identifying pathways to a better collective future.
Our Distinctive Approach
What makes our community special is how we embody the change we seek to create. In our interactions, we demonstrate that thoughtful, respectful dialogue among diverse perspectives is not only possible but enriching. Our approach creates a space where ideas can flourish through mutual respect and genuine curiosity.
Our Commitment to One Another
We approach each conversation with a foundation of trust: trust in each member’s good intentions, their knowledge and thoughtfulness, and their genuine hope for a better world. This trust enables us to engage authentically with one another’s ideas, even when we hold different views.
As Marshall Rosenberg reminds us: “What I want in my life is compassion, a flow between myself and others based on a mutual giving from the heart.”
Communication in Practice
Our communication reflects our values through:
- Approaching differences with curiosity rather than judgment
- Seeking to understand the hopes and knowledge behind each perspective
- Appreciating the valuable insights in each contribution
- Offering our own views as part of a larger tapestry of thought
- Using language that honors each person’s inherent dignity and worth Rosenberg’s insight guides us: “Peace cannot be built on the foundations of fear”
The Power of Our Approach
When each voice is valued, our community is enriched by the full spectrum of contributions and perspectives. This richness enhances what we can offer to our scholarship and to the world.
Our Ongoing Practice
We recognize that living these principles is an ongoing practice. Our passionate engagement with ideas sometimes leads to moments where we can further refine our communication. We support one another in this growth through gentle guidance and mutual encouragement.
As Rosenberg notes: “Every criticism, judgment, diagnosis, and expression of anger is the tragic expression of an unmet need.”
However, understanding this does not mean accepting harmful communication. Rather, as Rosenberg also emphasizes: “to practice the process of conflict resolution, we must completely abandon the goal of getting people to do what we want.” Our community values communication that seeks understanding rather than control, and that upholds the dignity of all members.
Supporting Each Other
Our community flourishes through modeling these principles, offering thoughtful feedback when helpful, and creating spaces for reflection. We invite all participants to help uphold these standards through their own practice and by offering compassionate observations about communications that could be further aligned with our shared values.
Where These Principles Apply
These principles guide our interactions during conference sessions, online forums, email exchanges, social media posts related to our Community, and all other spaces where we gather as psychohistorians.
Our Vision
As we explore pathways to a better future, we manifest that future in how we work together. We aspire to create an experience where anyone attending our events comes away feeling that “this is how it should be all the time and everywhere, and I know it can be done because it has been done here.”