PEER PRESSURE AND REFUSAL SKILLSCh. 10

Influences on Decisions• Internal Pressures

• Come from within you

• External Pressures• Media• Family• Peers

• Peer pressure—influence from friends and people your age to act in a certain way

Examining Peer Pressure• Positive or Negative?

• Negative peer pressure comes in conflict with your own wants, needs, or values

• Peer Pressure and Friendship• Negative peer pressure disguises itself as friendship

Resisting Pressure• Self-Knowledge

• A strong sense of values• Faith in your judgment• High self-esteem

• Assertiveness• The ability to make your own decisions and carry them out with confidence• Passive—keeping your own opinions to yourself and giving in to the

influence of others• Follow the crowd

• Aggressive—they use threats and intimidation to get their point across and achieve what they want• Rarely have strong relationships because they don’t respect others feelings

• Refusal Skills• Techniques to resist negative pressure effectively

• Assertive people!

To know for test:• Describe the pressures that influence the decisions you

make.• Differentiate between passive, assertive, and aggressive.• Evaluate a situation involving negative peer pressure.

CONFLICT RESOLUTIONChapter 11

What is Conflict?• Struggle between people who disagree

• Can be verbal, physical, or both

• Everyone has conflicts!

Why Conflicts Occur• Differs among people

• Situational Causes• Dissatisfies people

• Personality Differences• Root of conflict

• Power Struggles• When people feel they need to be in control

Negative Results• Negative emotions arise• People become ill• People say things they don’t mean• Relationships suffer• Violence may occur

Skillful Resolution• Use words, not fists• Talk in central location• Take turns talking• Show respect• Control your voice• Speak the truth• Control your tongue• Value your safety• Use body language

Conflict Resolution Process

1. Identify the Problem

2. Identify Possible Solutions

3. Evaluate each suggested situation

4. Pick the best solution

5. See if the solution is working

6. If necessary, agree to disagree

Avoiding Conflict• See positive side in situations• Change the subject• Have confidence• Don’t be easily irritated

Mediation• Unbiased third party helping settle differences

• Peer Mediation—process in which specially trained students help other student resolve conflicts peacefully

To Know for Test:• Define conflict and explain what causes conflicts.• Describe the possible results of conflict.• Explain the 6 steps in resolving conflicts.