Personal statement:The increasing complexity of our lives in recent years is a phenomenon both impressive and frightening. Hence in our multicultural society not only our ideas about ourselves and our life-styles become more individualized, but the whole value-systems, on which they are based, are subject to change. As a result of those developments we are challenged to handle more and more different types of freedom than before. Therefore a general system of values, a democratic framework and democratic institutions are no longer able to assist the individual in dealing with his or her own life situation. Moreover in our complex environment respectful human co-existence is not guaranteed. The foundations of our democracy were built in order to guarantee the equality of the citizens, but they are often abused and thus limit or cut fundamental rights. Since every person wants to live according to his or her own needs, values

and standards, conflicts with other people are inevitable. Whether or not respect for one another can be kept in such conflicts reveals the character of a society.

I am very happy to take part in this project and to consider in a comprehensive way the questions of which are the psychological mechanisms building the basis of a respectful behavior towards each other, and which are the individual and structural conditions that have to be fulfilled to enable such behavior.

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