Addressing Student Behavior and Violence

Many of the behavior problems observed in schools, including acting out, aggressive behavior, and violence, are often the result of children feeling emotionally disconnected from peers or adults. The term we use to refer to a feeling of being emotionally disconnected from others is the d-Factor®. The d-Factor® is often seen through attitudes or behavior which show:

• a greater desire for self-fulfillment and immediate gratification at the expense of others
• a strong need for emotional self-protection, accompanied by judgmental blaming attitudes toward others
• a loss of meaning in life or the lack of a clear identity
• the use of power, fear, and intimidation in interpersonal interactions
• little sense of joining with others
• hurtful, aggressive, or violent behavior

The d-Factor® may be one important underlying cause of the school shootings and the serious acts of violence this country has witnessed over the past few years. Aggressive, hurtful behavior and acts of violence represent a style of conduct which is opposite to what most people would consider to be good character.

Comprehensive character education programs that develop guiding principles to promote a style of conduct that emphasizes personal responsibility and respect in human relationships are critically important as one step in the solution to the serious problems we face as a nation. Character does count, and we all need to address character for kids' sake.

Some Steps to Take to Minimize the Potential for Violence in a School

• Develop activities and programs to enhance emotional connections among students
• Work at balancing academic knowledge and skills with guiding principles in classroom lessons
• Teach students about the value of life and compassion for others
• Develop after-school programs from 2-6 p.m., the hours when most children and adolescents get into trouble
• Use mentoring programs, grandparent programs, and similar activities to find appropriate interpersonal connections for everyone in the school
• Identify and implement specific programs, such as teaching conflict resolution skills, that are needed in your school and community
• Formulate a school safety plan that focuses on supervision of students

General Warning Signs of Violent Behavior

Four areas of student behavior to evaluate if you suspect the potential for violent acting out:

History

• Hostile, aggressive, acting out behavior with animals or people
• Prior arrests or threats of violence
• Has carried weapons to school
• Has developed plans for violent acts

Psychological Factors

• Suicidal or homicidal statements
• Very sensitive to rejection
• Strong feelings of alienation from peers or adults
• Withdrawal from peers or parents
• Statements or behavior that reflects a severe loss of self-esteem
• Feelings of rage and powerlessness combined with a need to seek revenge, power, or control
• Hopelessness
• Obsessive thoughts and feelings, about something or someone which show a clear sign of being emotionally disconnected from people (for example, obsessed with death, destruction, or a mass murderer such as Charles Manson)

Involvement Factors

• Strongly involved with a gang
• Excessive involvement with or interest in guns
• Excessive involvement with violent video games

Current Situation

• Access to guns
• A recent stressful event
• A marked change in behavior, such as failing grades or a radically different physical appearance
• An abnormal or dramatic reaction to change or loss (for example, break-up of a relationship)
• Warning signs are escalating
• The student feels that using guns is the only choice available

For more information on warning signs of violence and a youth anti-violence initiative developed by the American Psychological Association, see their site at helping.apa.org