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.

• Power resource

  Definition: Something that gives us the ability to have power over or influence others to do what we want

  Related term(s): Power currency

• Primary appraisals

  Definition: In Lazarus' theory, initial evaluations we make about a situation that results in our having either positive or negative feelings about that thing

• Primary emotions

  Definition: emotions that are categorically distinct, found in all cultures, and discernable by facial expression

  Related term(s): Basic emotions, universal emotions

• Principled Negotiation

  Definition: A cooperative approach to negotiation

  Related term(s): Cooperative negotiation, collaborative negotiation, interest-based negotiation, win-win negotiation

• Problem orientation

  Definition: Non-defensive communication that shows you are trying to focus on the problem rather than personal attack

• Procedural strategy

  Definition: In mediation, a strategy used by the mediator to control process

  Related term(s): Agenda-setting

• Process

  Definition: something that is constantly changing, dynamic, having no definite beginning or ending

• Prospective goals

  Definition: Goals we have in conflict before we engage in conflict management behavior

• Provisionalism

  Definition: Non-defensive communication that shows you are not completely certain you are correct, there's a possibility the other is correct

• Proxemics

  Definition: the study of nonverbal communication through spatial behavior

  Related term(s): Spatial behavior

• Purposive attribution

  Definition: when we evaluate a behavior as voluntary or intentional

• Reactive attribution

  Definition: when we evaluate the behavior as relatively involuntary or accidental

• Reciprocal strategies

  Definition: One of Selman's interpersonal negotiation strategies in which children realize that one must get agreement from both parties, but they don't understand that these must be mutually satisfying agreements

• Recognition

  Definition: a type of confirming behavior in which you recognize the other person is there and has sent a bid

• Referent power

  Definition: Influence we have because of personal charisma or because of the group we belong to

  Related term(s): Charisma, personal charm