The author considers the application of transactional analysis (TA) in the field of education. Initially, the focus is on the use of TA in reducing conflict in the classroom and staffroom before offering observations about its broader relevance to contemporary UK schooling. Concepts covered include the egostate model of personality, functional…

Why do some adolescents respond to interpersonal conflicts vengefully, whereas others seek more positive solutions? Three studies investigated the role of implicit theories of personality in predicting violent or vengeful responses to peer conflicts among adolescents in Grades 9 and 10. They showed that a greater belief that traits are fixed (an…

Counselors often engage in conflict mediation in professional practice. A model for understanding the complex and subtle nature of conflict resolution is presented. The ecosystemic complexity theory of conflict is offered to assist practitioners in navigating the fog of conflict. Theoretical assumptions are discussed with implications for clinical…

This paper explicates the implications of my research on conflict management for self improvement and for practitioners who work to improve the conflict management of others. I also note how my experiences with practitioners have informed my research.

The effects of training parents to use formal mediation procedures in sibling disputes were examined in 48 families with 5- to 10-years-old children, randomly assigned to mediation and control conditions. Children whose parents were trained in mediation were compared with those whose parents intervened normally. Parents reported that children used…

This experiment examined the effects of epistemic vs. relational conflicts on the relationship with a partner. Students participated to a fictitious computer-mediated interaction about a text with a bogus partner who introduced either an epistemic conflict (a conflict that referred to the content of the text), or a relational conflict (a conflict…

Describes a dynamic construct that classifies societies according to their dominant method of resolving conflict in the area of libel on a continuum from self-help to mediation, with criminal and civil law remedies between. (DF)

Examined 5- to 7- and 9- to 12-year-olds' responses to videotaped interadult conflicts in which the content and emotion of endings were either consistent or discrepant. Both younger and older children responded to content and emotion cues with their perceptions of adults' anger and conflict resolution, with positive emotion and nonconflictual…

This article describes research that explored student and teacher perceptions and management of conflict within the primary school context. It was found that both teachers and students shared similarities in their views of conflict and in their management of interpersonal problems at school. Conflict was generally perceived to be a negative…

Discusses the history, philosophy, theory, and educational applications of conflict resolution. Provides conceptual definitions for conflict and conflict resolution. Asserts there is a need for greater clarification of conceptual and operational definitions of conflict resolution. Notes the lack of consensus on the role of conflict resolution in…

Eighteen maltreated children were paired with nonmaltreated children (ages 3-7 years) for play sessions involving a single desirable object, resulting in generally successful negotiation and approximately equal sharing, though maltreated children appeared somewhat hesitant to engage their partners and were more responsive to partners' indication…

These activity cards represent a way for teachers to supplement the content of the curriculum with activities that address the concept of conflict. Students become aware of conflicts in their lives and discover individual methods for coping with those conflicts. The cards contain action-oriented activities to enable students to learn through…

These activity cards represent a way for teachers to supplement the content of the curriculum with activities that address the concept of conflict. Students become aware of conflicts in their lives and discover individual methods for coping with those conflicts. The cards contain action-oriented activities to enable students to learn through…

This teaching guide contains 20 activities for students in grades 6-9 on the topic of conflict in Northern Ireland. These materials can be adapted to lower and higher grade levels. Objectives are to examine the conflict in Northern Ireland, to discern ways a conflict escalates and can be peacefully solved, and to compare the perceptions of the…

Investigated the relationship between the mastery of maladaptive interpersonal patterns (assessed from narratives told during psychotherapy) and outcome of psychotherapy. Transcripts from the psychodynamic psychotherapy of 41 patients were scored using a content analysis mastery scale. Changes in mastery level over the course of therapy were…