The Psychoecological Dimensions of Intergroup Conflict in the African Context

Anthropogenic climate change acts as a complex stressor contributing to political instability and conflict, particularly in vulnerable regions such as Africa. While political science has long explored links between environmental degradation and armed conflict, the psychological mechanisms remain underexamined. This paper introduces a “psychoecological” framework, emphasizing the interaction between psychological functioning and ecological conditions. Within this framework, psychoterratic emotions and processes such as identity threat, in-group bias, and resource competition can transform environmental concerns into conflict dynamics. Drawing on theories of intergroup conflict—including Social Identity Theory, Realistic Conflict Theory, and Terror Management Theory—we show how environmental insecurity reinforces in-group cohesion and fosters out-group hostility. Case studies from sub-Saharan Africa illustrate how climate variability intersects with ethnic, political, and historical fault lines. We also examine how climate change, psychological vulnerability, and migration interact under conditions of insecurity. Integrating psychological insights into climate-related defence and development strategies is crucial for resilience. The psychoecological lens highlights the human dimensions of climate change, urging interdisciplinary approaches to address its impacts on security and peace.