Peer Mediation: Conflict Resolution in Schools

Abstract

A rising tide of antisocial and violent behavior has captured the attention of the nation. An alarming number of violent incidents occur in or around schools. Not surprisingly, surveys show that many children fear going to school and perform less well because of anxiety about their physical safety. To combat the growing incidence of violence in schools, experts urge educators to introduce student specific, class-level, and school-wide aggression reduction and replacement programs. In response, there has been a proliferation of selfcontrol, anger management, and conflict resolution programs. Peer Mediation: Conflict Resolution in Schools is among the most popular of these programs. Peer Mediation: Conflict Resolution in Schools offers practitioners at the middle or high school levels a practical guide for establishing a school-based peer mediation program. The Common Ground model implemented originally in Urbana, Illinois, and later replicated in several other districts presents information on the nature of conflict, an overview of the peer mediation process, descriptions of the organization and procedures, and training activities and materials. Throughout, the authors present a structured approach to each phase of the model, but emphasize the exigency of adapting the program to the unique qualities of individual schools (e.g., Stephens, 1994). Peer Mediation: Conflict Resolution in Schools includes a videotape, program guide, and student manual. The 28-min video provides viewers with background information about the program and illustrates the six steps that together comprise the peer mediation process. Students demonstrate the nonadversarial procedures in scenes drawn from familiar topics of youth conflict (e.g., rumors, issues of relationships). Given the somewhat contrived nature of these vignettes, the videotape likely serves as an effective training tool to promote peer mediation in some but not all situations. The 150-page program guide is highly readable both in its organization and writing style. Graphic organizers, text structure, varied print styles, and a well defined glossary typify the guide's user friendly features. Chapters reflect considerable overlap in content due to their largely stand alone design that allows users ready access to task-related information with little need for cross referencing. The first chapter introduces the nature of conflict as neither positive nor negative but as a natural and potentially useful condition. Schrumpf, Crawford, and Usadel provide a brief theoretical explanation of the origin of conflict that draws largely on Glasser's control theory that posits four basic psychological needs (belonging, power, freedom, and fun). Peer mediation is predicated on the assumption that the most desirable response to conflict is not avoidance (i.e., when students ignore a problem, fail to be assertive, or view themselves as victims) or confrontation characterized by threats, name-calling, or aggression. According to the authors, the most appropriate response to conflict is effective communication in which parties work together to create a mutually beneficial agreement. Chapter Two offers a succinct introduction to peer mediation beginning with critical attributes of an effective mediator (e.g., keeps information confidential, is unbiased) followed by suggestions for preparing the physical environment to facilitate effective communication. Each of the six steps that comprise the peer mediation process (i.e., open the session, gather information, focus on common interests, create options, evaluate options, choose a solution, write the agreement and close) is clearly summarized. Next, the authors suggest methods to respond to less predictable but potentially problematic situations such as when a student makes numerous requests for peer mediation or when disputants fail to reach an agreement. The authors also discuss caucusing, a strategy whereby the peer mediator meets singly rather than collectively with disputants to build trust and reduce tensions. …