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Negotiation Strategies for Youth

NCJ Number
108128
Journal
School Safety Dated: (Fall 1987) Pages: 18-21
Author(s)
R L Selman; M Glidden
Date Published
1987
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article describes a school-based program that teaches children interpersonal negotiation strategies for resolving relational conflicts.
Abstract
Children are paired and participate in 8-10 weekly 1-hour sessions with an adult trainer. Ideally, an assertive child is paired with a same-sex nonassertive child. A typical session consists of the showing of a filmstrip of a hypothetical interpersonal dilemma, the pair's discussion of the filmstrip to generate alternative solutions and select the 'best' solution, a free-play period, and a discussion of any problem that occurred in the play. The training teaches a four-step problemsolving approach. The first step is to define the problem, followed by the generation of three alternative solutions, a joint decision on the best solution, and an evaluation of the effectiveness of the solution in the actual conflict situation. The training exposes children to positive social interaction that facilitates positive social development and consideration of a stop-and-think approach to social problemsolving.