Our browseable glossary of terms related to conflict resolution in education provides quick access to terms you may hear used in the field.

Another useful tool for understanding more general education-related terms is the ERIC thesaurus.

• Mood repair

  Definition: the ability to help oneself feel better when experiencing a negative emotion

  Related term(s): Self-calming

• Multiple emotions

  Definition: experiencing more than one emotion at the same time

• Multiple intelligences

  Definition: seven areas of intelligence: linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, and intrapersonal

• Negative inner scripts

  Definition: internal negative conversations we imagine and rehearse about negative emotional experiences and interactions

• Neutral communication

  Definition: Defensive communication that makes it seem you are completely unconcerned and unaffected by the conflict. Suggests you don't care.

• Neutrality

  Definition: In mediation, trying to make sure you do not take sides or have a vested interest in the conflict outcome

  Related term(s): impartiality

• Noncontact cultures

  Definition: cultures that prefer the visual mode of communication and have a greater need for individual space, e.g. North American, Asian, and Northern European nations

• Nonverbal communication

  Definition: communication without words

  Related term(s): Body language

• Opening Statement

  Definition: The opening comments of a mediator in which the mediator explains mediation and the role of the mediator

• Optimism

  Definition: an orientation that expects positive things, believing the causes of bad things are temporary and good things are permanent

• Over-generalizing

  Definition: A perceptual bias where we see people as being similar overall because they are similar in one or two ways

• Person perception

  Definition: making sense of others

• Personal space

  Definition: the invisible bubble of space we protect in interactions

• Physical aggression

  Definition: using physical force against others

  Related term(s): Physical violence

• Positions

  Definition: In negotiation and bargaining the outcomes we want, the things we want to get

  Related term(s): Desired outcomes