Educators can help reverse the trend toward violence. An elementary school in South Central Los Angeles has adopted a Straight Talk about Risks (STAR) program enabling children to resolve problems peacefully and develop skills in critical thinking, recognizing and controlling anger, resisting peer pressure, and distinguishing between real-life and…

To break up student fights without getting hurt, teachers should get help, dismiss the audience, identify themselves, use specific commands, defer to rules instead of personal authority, identify the aggressor, direct the loser to a specific location, obtain identification, make written reports, and discuss actions taken with the principal. (MLH)

Discusses four themes related to resolving difficulties in library personnel evaluation: (1) the importance of clearly defining performance evaluation and its goals; (2) negotiation theory for dealing with negative results of personnel evaluation; (3) development of a perspective on conflict management; and (4) assertiveness as a foundation for…

Notes that one criticism of invitational theory is that it does not address itself to difficult situations. Refutes this criticism by first reviewing the basic assumptions of invitational theory and then explaining how the theory can be used to handle conflicts, both minor and major, that occur in one's personal and profession life. (NB)

The focus of aikido training is conflict resolution and the goal is to communicate with another human being. Aikido training can be applied to all areas of life. Like experiential education, aikido allows risk taking in a safer place than the "real world." (KS)

Examines the extent to which perceived inequity is related to perceived marital intimacy with couples married five or less years. Inequity was associated with lower levels of overall intimacy, identity, and expressiveness among wives. Among husbands, inequity was not associated with any types of intimacy. When comparing husbands and wives in…

Art is a tool for self-expression and communication that moves beyond the limits of language and can be used effectively in facilitating the group process. Guidelines include creating trust, stimulating hope, preempting defensiveness, making it safe, instilling confidence, and giving everyone a chance to participate. (JOW)

Conflict resolution provides a structure through which children can communicate, and character education enhances this by offering students the right language to find a middle ground for compromise. This paper describes how teachers at Pittsburgh's Falk Laboratory School developed and implemented a conflict-resolution program for grades K-8 that…

In a protracted case involving a varsity basketball coach's refusal to select a problem parent's son, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals decided the suit was frivolous and ordered the parent to pay $2,500 in court fees. This case illustrates the intersection of three American excesses--litigiousness, athletics, and divorce. (MLH)

As an ethnocentrically designed child welfare system grapples with how to best incorporate kinship care into its array of services, conflicts between kinship caregivers and the foster care system have arisen. Suggests that the application of mediation to these conflicts can serve as a step in social workers' efforts to provide culturally relevant…

Examines gender differences in adolescents' (N=39) behavior during conflict resolution tasks with their best friends and differences in descriptions of those friendships. Results show that females were rated lower in withdrawal and higher in communication skills and support validation while males rated higher in conflict. (MKA)

Discusses the distinction between communication that deepens a relationship and communication that resolves conflict. Presents an approach to therapy, relational conversation, in which meaningful conversation is designed to increase relational fortitude and promote a consistent level of intentional and loving connection. (Contains 49 references.)…

A survey identified the predominant conflict resolution style of 371 4-H youth development volunteer leaders. The use of solution-oriented styles differed by leaders' program area. Differences between those who received more and less conflict resolution training were small. A variety of skill levels in conflict resolution were found. (SK)

Investigates Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and its potential as a topic for business communication practice and research. Explores what ADR is; how mediation and ADR are used in business; how mediation and ADR are similar to and different from negotiating; and two or three essential learning points or skills to teach business students about…

This paper analyzes the success of a camp retreat weekend called Project Trust involving middle school students and teachers. The goal of the camp is to break down barriers between cliques identified as active in the school. The camp focuses on building team relationships across clique membership and incorporates elements of peace education and…