Preventing Violence 3

1. Strategies to Prevent
Violence

2. Learning Outcome
HR.3.B - Discuss the relative
effectiveness of two strategies for
reducing violence.

3. 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?

4. Strategy #2: Yoga
Bilderbeck et al (2013)
 Aim: To investigate the impact of Yoga on
inmates’ aggressive behaviors.
 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

5. 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?

6. 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?

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. Anti-Violence Program
Proposal Overview
 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.

11. 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.

12. An Example Program:
Crushers 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?

13. Group Planning Suggestions
 Create 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.