The Proposed Kingian Neuro-Relational Theory
Danielsen staff contributed to a co-authored article now in print with the Journal of Black Psychology. Led by Dr. Dorneshia Thomas, a Postdoctoral Fellow at Albany Medical Center in Washington, DC, the article integrates attachment theory, neuroscience, and Dr. Martin Luther King’s philosophy of nonviolence. Danielsen’s Executive Director, Dr. George Stavros, facilitated the Institute’s collaboration with Dr. Thomas and her growing team of colleagues that are working on this theoretical framework. Dr. Thomas will present along with Dr. Nancy McWilliams in a Division 39 (Psychodynamic) symposium at the American Psychological Association’s annual convention in August. Below is the citation and abstract.
Thomas, D.L., Stavros, G.S., Sandage, S.J., Berg-Cross, L., & Nichols, E.J. (2022). Attachment neuroscience and Martin Luther King, Jr’s nonviolence philosophy: Implications for the 21st century and beyond. Journal of Black Psychology, 48, 507-546.
This article focuses on the psychology of principled nonviolent activism, specifically ideas associated with Martin Luther King, Jr.’s philosophy of nonviolence and how they are compatible with attachment theory and related areas of modern neuroscience (e.g., attachment/social neuroscience and interpersonal neurobiology). The proposed Kingian Neuro-Relational Theory (KNRT) recognizes King as having a relational development approach to social justice. KNRT offers a way of understanding King’s ideas to aid research and develop strategies for reducing many forms of societal violence, with eventual outcomes of improving mental and physical health via stress reduction, and subsequent creation of a more socially just world. KNRT is an integrative, multidisciplinary approach, incorporating the philosophy of nonviolence, attachment theory, social neuroscience, ecological systems theory, and personalistic philosophy. The theory highlights developmental and clinical implications of moving beyond tactical/pragmatic nonviolent activism (nonviolent direct action) to activism via embracing nonviolence as a principled way of life (nonviolent daily interactions). This theory is building on an earlier project that conveyed how King’s philosophy of nonviolence is related to modern–day diversity and inclusion efforts.