3. 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.
4. Strategy #1: Self-Control
Duffy 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?
5. Strategy #2: Yoga
Bilderbeck 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
6. Strategy #3: Empathy Training
Feshbach 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?
7. Strategy #4: Anti-Bullying
Programs
Jeong 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?
8. 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.
9. The Effectiveness of MACS
MACs found that their program was successful in
limiting violence to certain subgroups (moderate
resource communities) but were ineffective
working with low resource communities.
10. Evaluation of the MACS
Program
Geurra 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.
11. An Example Program?
Crusher’s Club
Vice 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?
