Resolving Conflicts and Preventing Violence Chapter 9, pgs

Conflict Any disagreement, struggle or fight 1. Internal conflict – struggles that take place within an individual

Conflict 2. Interpersonal conflicts – disagreements between groups of any size, from two people to entire nations. It usually occurs when one party’s needs, wishes, or beliefs clash with those of another party It can also arise out of a misunderstanding, when an individual misinterprets another person’s language, gestures, or sense of humor.

Causes of Interpersonal Conflicts Power struggles – a teen and her parent might have a conflict over how late she is allowed to stay out at night

Causes of Interpersonal Conflicts Personal loyalties – a teen might be angry with his best friend for taking another person’s side in an argument.

Causes of Interpersonal Conflicts Jealousy and envy – a teen might be upset when her friend starts going out with a boy she likes

Causes of Interpersonal Conflicts Property disputes – a teen might be angry with his brother for borrowing his MP3 player without permission.

Causes of Interpersonal Conflicts Conflicting attitudes and values – two friends might have an argument because one wants to hang out only with the “cool” crowd, while the other wants to be friendly to everyone.

Causes of Interpersonal Conflicts Lack of respect – a teen might be rude to a classmate because of a prejudice against that student’s ethnic group.

Conflict Resolution The process of ending a conflict by cooperating and problem-solving together. Respect – people who respect others are more likely to listen with an open mind, consider the other person’s views and feelings, and honor the basic values of the individual.

Conflict Resolution Rights – having respect for others also means not violating other people’s basic rights. People need to remember that no one owns anyone else. Responsibility – You need to take responsibility for your actions, do not just blame the other person.

The Negotiation Process Negotiation is the use of communication and, in many cases, compromise to settle a disagreement. The negotiation process involves talking, listening, & considering the other party’s point of view. Mutual respect is an important factor in successful negotiation.

The Negotiation Process The negotiation process includes: a. Take time to calm down and think over the situation. b. Let each party take turns explaining its side of the conflict, without interruption. Apply good communication skills, such as active listening and using “I” messages.

The Negotiation Process c. If necessary, ask for clarification to make sure that each party understands the other’s position. d. Brainstorm solutions to the conflict. e. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each solution.

The Negotiation Process f. Agree on a solution that is acceptable to both sides. The ideal outcome will be a win-win solution. If that is not possible, the two parties may need to compromise. e. Follow up to see whether the solution has worked for each party.

The Mediation Process When two parties cannot reach a solution through negotiation, they may consider mediation. Mediation is bringing in a neutral third party to help others resolve their conflict peacefully Peer mediation is a process in which specially trained students help other students resolve conflicts peacefully.

The Mediation Process Effective mediation depends on these basic principles: Neutrality – the mediator must always be an outsider who has no stake in the dispute. The mediation sessions should also take place in a neutral location. Confidentiality – respecting the privacy of both parties and keeping details secret. Well-defined ground rules – Both parties must agree to the rules set by the mediator.

The Mediation Process In a typical mediation, each party gets a chance to present its side of the argument. The mediator then summarizes the points made by each side and leads a discussion between the two parties. The mediator does not make judgments or impose solutions. Instead, the solutions must come from the two parties. However, the mediator can help them see the advantages and disadvantages of certain ideas.

Understanding Violence Violence is the threatened or actual use of physical force to harm another person or to damage property. Some acts of violence result from interpersonal conflicts that escalate out of control.

Causes of Violence Uncontrolled anger or frustration. A need to control others. Hatred or prejudice against a particular group. Retaliation or revenge for some past harm, whether real or perceived. Alcohol and drug use. Mental & emotional problems. Availability of weapons. Violence in the media. Gang violence.

Types of Violence 1.Assault – an unlawful physical attack or threat of an attack. Can range from minor threats to attacks that cause life-threatening injuries. Each year, more than 4 million assaults take place in the United States. Roughly half of all assaults occur between people who know each other.

Types of Violence 2. Homicide – the willful killing of one human being by another.  If the victim of an assault dies, the crime becomes a homicide.

Types of Violence 3. Sexual Violence – Any form of unwelcome sexual contact directed at an individual. a.Sexual assault – any intentional sexual attack against another person. More than 60,000 sexual assaults take place in the U.S. each year

Types of Violence b. Rape - any form of sexual intercourse that takes place against a person’s will. More than 300,000 females and nearly 93,000 males are raped each year. Rape is one of the crimes least likely to be reported to police. Survivors of rape may be unwilling to report the crime because of shame or fear.

Types of Violence 4. Hate Crimes – any crime motivated chiefly by hatred of or prejudice against a particular group. People may be targeted because of their race, religion, culture, sexual orientation, or other difference.

Types of Violence a. Harassment – may include racial slurs, stalking, or attempts to exclude a targeted group from community life. b. Vandalism – Perpetrators may use offensive messages or symbols to deface buildings. c. Arson – Criminals may blow up or set fire to buildings. d. Assault & homicide – Criminals may physically attack or even kill members of the targeted group.

Preventing & Overcoming Relationship Abuse Abuse is the physical, mental, emotional, or sexual mistreatment of one person by another. A dating relationship may be abusive if one partner: Tries to pressure the other into sexual activity. Tries to make the relationship serious or exclusive right away. Acts jealous or possessive. Tries to control the other’s behavior. Yells, swears, or otherwise emotionally attacks the other. Threatens the other with physical violence.

Forms of Abuse 1. Physical Abuse – a pattern of causing bodily harm or injury to another person.

Forms of Abuse 2. Emotional Abuse – a pattern of attacking another person’s emotional development and sense of worth. One form of emotional abuse is verbal abuse, the use of words to mistreat or injure another person.

Forms of Abuse 3. Sexual Abuse – a pattern of sexual contact that is forced upon a person against the person’s will. 4. Stalking – repeatedly following, harassing, or threatening an individual.

Date Rape Date rape occurs when one person in a dating relationship forces the other person to take part in sexual intercourse. This is one of the most common forms of rape. More than 40% of female victims and more than 10% of male victims are romantically involved with their attacker In acquaintance rapes, the attacker is someone the victim knows casually or considers a friend. Alcohol often plays a role in date rapes. Some rapists use drugs to subdue their victims (Rohypnol, GHB, and Ketamine)

Avoiding Date Rape Specific strategies for avoiding date rape include: Avoid being alone with a dating partner you don’t trust or know well, or with anyone who makes you feel uneasy. Avoid alcohol & drugs. Stay sober & aware of what’s going on around you. Be clear of your sexual limits with dating partners. Always get your own beverage at parties, and never leave it uncovered or unattended. Don’t drink anything that smells or tastes strange.

Avoiding Date Rape Make sure you have a way to get home. If you start to feel dizzy, disorientated, or otherwise unwell, tell someone you trust and ask for help getting home.