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.

• Social aggression

  Definition: tries to inflict harm through damage to one's self-esteem, social status, or both

  Related term(s): Relational aggression

• Spontaneous communication

  Definition: Non-defensive communication that is 'of the moment' and natural - no hidden agendas

• Strategic expression

  Definition: the ability to regulate your emotional experience and expression in adaptive and beneficial ways

  Related term(s): Self-controlled communication

• Strategy communication

  Definition: Defensive communication that makes it seem you have a hidden agenda or are trying to manipulate the other

  Related term(s): Manipulative communication

• Substantive Directive strategy

  Definition: A strategy used by a mediator to engage the parties in discussion of the substantive issues in the conflict

• Superiority communication

  Definition: Defensive communication that makes it sounds like you see yourself as better than the other

• Supportive climates

  Definition: creating climates that are non-defensive by using language that is descriptive, problem oriented, spontaneous, empathic, equal, and provisional

• Supportive response

  Definition: a way of endorsing someone by responding in a supportive way

• Target Point

  Definition: In bargaining, the best possible outcome you hope to achieve

• Territorial behavior

  Definition: behavior that signals ownership and defense of an area

  Related term(s): Protecting 'turf'

• Third party

  Definition: A person who is not involved in a conflict who is asked to help the parties manage the conflict (arbitrator, mediator, facilitator)

• Transactive goals

  Definition: Goals that develop during the conflict interaction

• Turn-taking signals

  Definition: gestures and vocalizations that make it possible for us to alternate conversational roles of speaking and listening

  Related term(s): regulators

• Unilateral strategies

  Definition: One of Selman's interpersonal negotiation strategies in which a child understands there is more than one way to see a situation but uses basic persuasion to try and convince the other to 'go along.'

• Verbal aggression

  Definition: using language to put the other person down or treat him or her with contempt

  Related term(s): Name-calling