Constructing Cultures of Non-Violence: The Peace Power! Strategy

Source: (2001) Education & Treatment of Children 24(4)

Extensive redesign of overall systems, like entire schools, could dramatically reduce the level of violence, threat, and coercion in schools, but this is generally unrealistic. This article presents an alternative approach, the development of evidence-based tools that can be used in existing networks to structure systemic changes in maintainable ways. Within an on-going program of developmental research, behavioral systems analysis is used to clarify sets of interlocking repertoires that can, together, have a significant effect on the incidence of coercive behaviors. These analyses suggest concrete, practical tools that can be flexibly combined into realistic, customized local programs. The PEACE POWER! Strategy emerged from this process.