This essay provides an historical perspective on conflict and discusses the relationship of prejudice and ethnocentrism to intergroup conflict, prejudice and conflict resolution in childhood, as well as approaches to conflict resolution in society. History is full of hateful and destructive indulgences based on religious, racial, and other prejudices. Intergroup behavior research shows that human beings have an extraordinary tendency to distinguish between "good" and "bad" people, between ingroups and outgroups. This sorting tendency is widespread and readily learned. Almost any sort of interaction within a group tends to promote ingroup favoritism. Efforts to make sure that young people do not acquire orientations of ethnocentrism and prejudice and become susceptible to violent solutions include providing conditions for the development of early self-esteem and for intimate and enduring interpersonal relationships. Clear guidelines for behavior should be established and coping strategies taught. In trying to resolve conflicts, we should think of ourselves as a single, interdependent species living on spaceship earth. Conflict prevention or resolution must be given a higher priority on the world's agenda. (RM)