Strategies to Prevent Violence

Learning OutcomeHR.3.B - Discuss the relative

effectiveness of two strategies for reducing violence.

Your Task In your groups, you will develop a plan

designed to help reduce violence in inner city neighborhoods.

Try to develop a plan that would be realistic, effective, and that would meet the needs of the communities we have examined.

Be sure to apply psychological concepts as you plan your program.

Be prepared to share your program.

Group Assessment: Anti-Violence Plan Proposal Your group will create a proposal for your program. The proposal

must include…

1. An overview of the features of your plan.

2. An explanation about the causes of violence and why your plan effectively combats these.

3. An introduction on the impact that violence has on teens living in these communities. Explain how your plan will address these issues and help combat them.

4. An explanation about why your plan and the strategies it employs will be effective at reducing violence.

5. Defend why your plan will be effective and realistic.

Your Task In your groups, you will develop a plan

designed to help reduce violence in inner city neighborhoods.

Try to develop a plan that would be realistic, effective, and that would meet the needs of the communities we have examined.

Be sure to apply psychological concepts as you plan your program.

Be prepared to share your program.

Group Assessment: Anti-Violence Plan Proposal Your group will create a proposal for your program. The proposal

must include…

1. An overview of the features of your plan.

2. An explanation about the causes of violence and why your plan effectively combats these.

3. An introduction on the impact that violence has on teens living in these communities. Explain how your plan will address these issues and help combat them.

4. An explanation about why your plan and the strategies it employs will be effective at reducing violence.

5. Defend why your plan will be effective and realistic.

Strategy #1: Self-ControlDuffy and Finkel (2009) Aim: To investigate whether self-control exercises would

decrease aggressive behavior in interpersonal relationships.

Method: Had individuals take a survey about their likely reactions

to upsetting situations. (Cheating, Insults, etc.) Half then participated in a self-control exercise for two

week. (Off hand use, or verbal alterations)

Results: Those who practiced self-control were less likely to display aggressive responses on the following survey than the control group.

Conclusion: Self-control exercises help limit violent behavior.

Critical Thinking?

Strategy #2: YogaBilderbeck et al (2013)Aim: To investigate the impact of Yoga on

inmates.

Method: Studied 100 prisoners from 7 U.K. Prisons. Half were assigned to a 10-week Yoga program and the other half were a control.

Results/Conclusions: Yoga increased self-control and attentiveness and self-reported less aggressiveness towards other inmates and less stress.

Critical Thinking?

The Horizon Story - Urban Yoga

Strategy #3: Empathy TrainingFeshbach and Feshbach (1982)Aim: To investigate the impact of empathy on

childhood violence rates.

Method: Trained children (8-12 years old) to imagine how

they would feel in other children’s circumstances, to recognize the feelings of others, and to try to share their emotions.

Findings/Results: Empathy trained students displayed less aggressive behavior on the playground than the control group.

Critical Thinking?

Strategy #4: Anti-Bullying ProgramsJeong and Lee (2013)

Aim: To determine if anti-bullying programs are effective in reducing violence.

Method: Analyzed results from 7000 students from all 50 states.

Findings: Students in schools which employed anti-bullying programs are more likely to experience peer victimization.

Conclusion: Anti-bullying programs are ineffective at reducing violence in schools.

Critical Thinking?

Are Anti-Bullying Programs Working?

Strategy #5: The Metropolitan Area Child Study Research Group (2007)

Overview of program: A Classroom Program: Empathy training and

Problem-Solving Skills. Training in Social Skills: Small group sessions

with peers focusing on problem solving. Family Counseling: Lessons and family specific

discussions on issues.

The Effectiveness of MACSMACs found that their program was successful

in limiting violence to certain subgroups (moderate resource communities) but were ineffective working with low resource communities.

Evaluation of the MACS ProgramGeurra et al (2006)

If aggression and violence is seen as normal in a community and it pays off (increased attention from authority and peer status) it is likely to continue in spire of intervention programs.

Your Task In your groups, you will develop a plan designed to help

reduce violence in communities around the nation. You can focus on inner city communities, Tualatin, or general communities.

Try to develop a plan that would be realistic, effective, and that would meet the needs of the communities that you are focusing on.

Be sure to apply psychological concepts as you plan your program.

Be prepared to share your program.

You may (and likely should) perform outside research in addition to what we have discussed in class.

You may focus on issues such as violent crime in inner cities, interpersonal violence, bullying, etc.

Group Assessment: Anti-Violence Plan Proposal Your group will create a proposal for your program. The proposal must

include…

1. An overview of the features of your proposed plan. Provide a Goal Statement, Give your Program a name, and identify your target communities.

2. An explanation about the sociocultural causes of violence and why your plan effectively combats these.

3. An introduction on the impact that violence has on teens living in these communities. Explain how your plan will address these issues and help combat them.

4. An explanation and evaluation of the strategies your program employs to combat violence.

5. Defend why your plan will be effective and realistic.

An Example Program?Crusher’s ClubVice News on the Vice News on the Crushers ClubClub

Crushers Club Website

Is this program effective? If so, what psychological concepts help explain why this program seems to work?

Group Planning SuggestionsCreate a Group Brainstorm.

Split outside research between members.

What format will your group proposal be? Google Slides? Prezi? Video? Posters?

Plan your presentation and assign roles in the groups.