Conflict Resolution

1. Conflict Resolution Chapter 11

2. What is Conflict? • Struggle between people who disagree • Verbal, physical, or both

3. Why Conflicts Occur • What creates conflict for one might not be the same for someone else • Situational factors, personality differences, and power struggles

4. Situational Causes • Any situation that dissatisfies people • I.E concession stand waiting time??

5. Personality Differences • Values can clash • If tolerance for differences is low, conflict even more likely • One is outgoing, the other isn’t

6. Power Struggles • People feel a need to be in control • Can spur conflict

7. The Real Issue • Preventing conflict not the issue • Fact of life • normal • Conflicts have to be handled appropriately or individuals and society pay a heavy price

8. Group Conflict • Orientation – when members decide how to relate to each other • Formation = members must work together to develop goals • Coordination = as group does its work, problems arise and new solutions are needed • Formalization = group finishes its work, earlier conflict is often forgotten

9. Every year more than 2 million Americans are injured by violence • 500,000 require treatment in hospital ER • Twice as much money is spent caring for victims of violence as for treating people with AIDS

10. More American teens die from gunshot wounds than from all diseases combined • Alcohol contributes to 55% of domestic violence • It is more likely trigger of violence than are mental disorders

11. Negative Results • Negative emotions rise • Anger, frustration, fear, pain, humiliation, sorrow or bitterness • People can become ill • Angry and combative can suffer sickness • Sleep and eating patterns may be affected • Can cause stress which leads to ulcers and heart disease

12. People say things they don’t mean • In the heat of anger • Say and hurt another person’s feelings • Damage is done, difficult to remove

13. Relationships suffer • Break up friendships and families • Feuds last a lifetime • Damaged work relationships can cause loss of a job • Violence may occur • Tempers flair, argument can escalate to physical aggression • Injury and even death

14. Violence in Society • The number of people who accept violence and participate in it is growing larger

15. Cost of Violence • Too great to measure • Your family helps pay the cost • Treating victims in hospital ER’s • Putting criminals through the justice system • Loss of human potential

16. Fear or violence causes 160,000 students each day to skip classes • Loss of education causes students to be less prepared for further education and careers

17. Violence among teens are on the rise • In a 4 year period • 317 out of every 100,00 arrests to over 430 • 36% increase

18. Violent behavior comes from people who often have no regard for victims • Out of touch with the effects of their actions

19. Learned Behavior • Violent behavior is learned • Learn from adults and TV or movies • Message in sports, music and some games • Can be unlearned by practicing conflict resolution

20. Resolving Conflicts • Skillful Resolution • Use words, not fists • Take pride in using your mind • Take charge of the situation • Make the decision to resolve conflict peacefully • Don’t satisfy other persons wish to fight

21. Try to talk in a location where there are few distractions • When you talk, take turns • Use active listening skills • Show respect in order to get respect • Control your voice • Yelling provokes yelling • Stay calm

22. Speak the truth • Control your tongue • Name calling, cursing, promote conflict • Use “I” messages

23. Use body language effectively • Stand firm, don’t stand too closely • Value your own safety • Keep out of danger

25. Avoiding Conflict • Minor or temporary conflicts may not be worth the time and effort needed to resolve • A friend is always late, pick an earlier time • Adjust your behavior

26. Make a pledge to avoid Conflict • See the positive side in situations • Don’t focus on negative • Change the subject • Avoid tension • Defuse the situation with confidence • “This isn’t important enough to fight about” • Don’t be easily irritated • They may be just antagonizing you

27. Examining Your Attitudes • Do you have a defensive nature? • Taking everything personally • Low self esteem • Work on self esteem to change your attitude

28. Mediation • An unbiased third party helps settle differences • Find one on your own • Friends, family, teachers, counselors

29. Peer Mediation • Process in which specially trained students help other students resolve conflicts peacefully • Remain neutral • See solutions others might not • Learn to ask questions to clarify thoughts • confidential

30. Peer Mediation in Action • 1- each person is asked to calmly give his or her version (no interruptions) • 2- each then states what he or she wants the other to do • 3- mediator asks each what they are willing to do • 4- parties eventually agree on the solution or may need adult intervention

31. Avoid Gangs • Gangs thrive on conflict • Promotes hatred or outsiders • Routinely translates actions into violence • Gangs prey on people who need inclusions and want to belong • Once in a gang, hard to get out

32. ND Statistics • 4,370 new victims (new = unduplicated for calendar year) received services from crisis intervention centers in North Dakota. This number reflects a 6% increase from 2004.

33. 5,062 incidents of domestic violence were reported to crisis intervention centers in North Dakota.  This reflects a 13% increase from 2004. • At least 4,961 children were directly impacted by these incidents.

34. 843 primary victims and 349 secondary victims were served by 18 sexual assault crisis centers throughout North Dakota.  • At least 762 (90%) of the victims were female. • At least 791 (94%) of the assailants were male.

35. 69% of the crimes were reported to law enforcement.

36. In 2003, 5,570 young people ages 10 to 24 were murdered—an average of 15 each day. Of these victims, 82% were killed with firearms (CDC 2006).

37. In 2004, more than 750,000 young people ages 10 to 24 were treated in emergency departments for injuries sustained due to violence (CDC 2006).

38. An estimated 30% of 6th to 10th graders in the United States were involved in bullying as a bully, a target of bullying, or both (Nansel et al. 2001).

39. Direct and indirect costs of youth violence (e.g., medical, lost productivity, quality of life) exceed $158 billion every year • (Children's Safety Network Economics & Data Analysis Resource Center 2000).

40. Among 10 to 24 year olds, homicide is the leading cause of death for African Americans, the second leading cause of death for Hispanics, and the third leading cause of death for American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Asian/Pacific Islanders (CDC 2006).

41. Of the 5,570 homicides reported in 2003 among 10 to 24 year olds, 86% were males and 14% were females (CDC 2005).

42. Risk factors increase the likelihood that a young person will become violent. • However, risk factors are not direct causes of youth violence; instead, risk factors contribute to youth violence

43. Individual Risk Factors • History of violent victimization or involvement • Attention deficits, hyperactivity, or learning disorders • History of early aggressive behavior • Involvement with drugs, alcohol, or tobacco • Low IQ • Poor behavioral control • Deficits in social cognitive or information-processing abilities • High emotional distress • History of treatment for emotional problems • Antisocial beliefs and attitudes • Exposure to violence and conflict in the family

44. Family Risk Factors • Authoritarian childrearing attitudes • Harsh, lax, or inconsistent disciplinary practices • Low parental involvement • Low emotional attachment to parents or caregivers • Low parental education and income • Parental substance abuse or criminality • Poor family functioning • Poor monitoring and supervision of childre

45. Peer/School Risk Factors • Association with delinquent peers • Involvement in gangs • Social rejection by peers • Lack of involvement in conventional activities • Poor academic performance • Low commitment to school and school failure

46. Community Risk Factors • Diminished economic opportunities • High concentrations of poor residents • High level of transience • High level of family disruption • Low levels of community participation • Socially disorganized neighborhoods