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This paper aims to relate Taoist Yin‐Yang thinking to Western nomology in terms of trust and trust building, seeking to explore the question of how trust impacts on conflict management.

A moderating model of trust in conflict management is proposed. Investigations and observations using primary and secondary data are described. Three cases are presented to explain the moderating effects of adjusting activities and trust on conflict and negotiation.

The proposed model was supported. The following findings have been obtained: keeping a balance between adjusting others and adjusting self is a key to resolving conflict; creating and retaining harmony is a bridge that leads both sides in conflict and negotiation to adjust themselves; taking indirect actions through relationships instead of by direct actions through power is a good way to trigger a state of harmony; and trust is shown to be the original driver and source that contribute to adapting actions, harmony and eventually to a win‐win negotiation outcome.

The investigations were limited in time and scope and consequently not conclusive.

This research may provide practical implictions for people and organizations interested in conflict resolution who wish to: take a position that values trust; take indirect actions through relationship instead of direct actions through power; create and retain harmony between both sides in conflict and negotiation; and keep a balance between adjusting others and adjusting self, so to achieve win‐win negotiation outcomes.

This research may enhance the understanding of Taoist Yin‐Yang thinking by linking it with the Western nomology.

This study seeks to postulate a theory of psychohistory as a “think‐piece”. It develops from some earlier theoretical work on sociohistory that can model cultures that are large‐scale (e.g. societies) over the long term or small scale (e.g. corporations) over the short term. Sociohistory, as developed by Yolles and Frieden, provides a new theory to explore the possibilities of tracking and explaining social and cultural change. It offers entry to the development of a theory of psychohistory that explores the psychological basis for decision making and social action and interaction, and connects with both Jung's propositions on psychological profiling and with the popular Myers‐Briggs instruments of personality testing.

Sociohistory was developed by coupling three theoretical frameworks: the knowledge cybernetics of Maurice Yolles, the mathematical approach in extreme physical information (EPI) of Roy Frieden, and the sociocultural dynamics of Pitrin Sorokin. Knowledge cybernetics creates the vehicle for the exploration of the sociocultural dynamics that reflects the theoretical structures of Sorokin, and uses EPI as a way of fine tuning one's understanding of the qualitative and quantitative dynamics uncovered. The basic fractal nature of knowledge cybernetics is be used to extend the theory of sociohistory from sociocultural dynamics to psychosocial dynamics. Elaborating on the fractal nature of the approach, an indicative theory of psychohistory is formulated.

The theoretical basis for sociohistory is outlined and extended from sociocultural to psychosocial dynamics, and it is shown how the methodological approach can then be extended to the development of psychohistory. An agenda for further sociohistorical and psychohistorical research is also developed in this process.

Sociocultural dynamics is extended to the promise of being able to deal with social dynamics within a cultural setting. The postulated theory of psychohistory both explores social dynamics in psychological terms and is linked to the potential for developing a new personality inventory.

There is a body of evidence that indicates mental illnesses are more prevalent in urban settings. However, to date no research has been carried out on the urban/rural incidence of mental illness in Ireland. This paper seeks to examine the micro level determinants of admissions to psychiatric hospitals between urban and rural areas.

Data from the National Psychiatric In‐patient Reporting System (NPIRS) and multivariate regression models are used.

Results from this analysis found that, in Ireland, rural residents had a higher probability of being admitted to a psychiatric hospital for schizophrenia and depression compared to urban residents.

The results presented here are only applicable to individuals that have been admitted to a psychiatric hospital. Findings cannot be extrapolated to the general population. Future research will involve the simulation of mental health characteristics for the entire Irish population.

The analysis presented in the paper contributes to the current understanding of the social and spatial profile of psychiatric admissions in Ireland, whilst providing additional research to the international debate regarding urban/rural differentials in acute psychiatric hospital admissions.