Schools' regulation by external forces has rendered the education process secondary to avoidance of litigation. Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) provides an answer to the adversarial process currently in place within education. ADR offers negotiation and mediation as methods to resolve conflict, avoid litigation, and increase the likelihood of…

Examined the effect of resource availability on dyadic interaction of African American three- to five-year olds in a painting activity conducted under two resource conditions. Limited resources promoted more resource and task conflict, while plentiful resources promoted more nonconflictive social and task interactions. Results underscored the role…

The social information-processing skills of 16 aggressive and 19 nonaggressive men with borderline-to-moderate mental retardation were examined. The two groups did not differ in their ability to generate multiple solutions or provide appropriate responses. K. Dodge's social information-processing model is considered. (Author/SW)

Contends that peer mediation offers a way for students to settle disagreements without violence and without involving the traditional system of school discipline. Discusses brief background about peer mediation, then presents one high school mediation program that has been implemented and evaluated. Outlines step-by-step approach to implement a…

Two studies examined preschoolers' conflict behavior in peer and sibling dyads. Found that conflicts were quickly resolved in nonaggressive ways, and they occurred within the context of ongoing, coordinated play. Most conflicts occurred between same-gender dyads. Age was also found to influence conflict behavior. (HTH)

The need for solutions to youth violence has engendered inappropriate uses of conflict-resolution and peer-mediation programs. A research review indicates that reducing aggression and violence requires schoolwide change in conflict attitudes and behavior and concurrent, intensive programs targeting specific problems of particularly aggressive…

This article describes leadership development activities with gifted preschool and kindergarten children enrolled in the University of Redlands (California) summer school program and a local private elementary school. Methods of teaching the skills of social sensitivity, problem solving, and conflict resolution are described, including role…

Principles for college market research include (1) only ask relevant questions; (2) ask key questions often; (3) compare responses; (4) ask important questions of many people; (4) keep the research simple; (5) don't cut corners; (6) listen to the customer through focus groups and complaint systems; and (7) share the information with people who can…

College leaders can be symbols of moral unity for their institutions. The leader must have a vision of the institution's ethical life, then be able to create and sustain it in the campus community. Strategic planning can help resolve conflicts constructively, based on values expressed in the mission statement. (MSE)

A clear set of shared values acts as an organizational and inspirational force in educational institutions. Recently, British schools have been experiencing conflict between their values and those of the National Curriculum. This article explores the nature of values, proposes a framework for assessing values in schools, and suggests how conflicts…

Discusses general issues involved in conflict management and provides more specific examples of conflict management in libraries. Causes of conflict are considered, including organizational structure, departmentalization, performance appraisal, poor communication, and technological change; and methods of dealing with conflict are described,…

Although traditional discipline procedures (expulsion, time-out rooms, suspensions, and scolding) teach students to depend on authority figures to resolve conflicts, the Peacemaker Program teaches children how to mediate disputes and negotiate solutions themselves. To regulate their own behavior, students must have opportunities to make decisions…

Reports results of a survey of department chairs in many disciplines regarding communication problems they face. Finds that most department heads experience serious communication problems in conflict management, persuading/motivating others, public relations, and information management. (SR)

The controversy over Afrocentrism in higher education institutions is discussed as an example of how multicultural norms can be used to resolve contentious issues. The paper concludes that the capstone of multicultural awareness programs should incorporate themes on tolerance, conflict resolution, uses of emotion, consensus building, stress…

By identifying and weighing the effects of an act on each constituency, a matrix based on John Stuart Mill's theories of utilitarianism illuminates and helps resolve complex ethical dilemmas. Application of the approach is illustrated with a simulated case study concerning the issue of reputation in a small private college. (Author/MSE)