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.

• Classroom meetings

  Definition: Having students in a class convene for a discussion of issues or activity.

  Related term(s): Morning meetings, advisories

• Classroom rules

  Definition: Specific rules for behavior in a classroom, usually created by teacher and students

  Related term(s): Classroom agreements

• Co-mediation

  Definition: A mediation process in which two mediators work together

• Co-mediator

  Definition: One of the team of mediators in co-mediation - usually the one that is less in charge of the mediation

• Cognitive perspective taking

  Definition: being able to understand how a person sees a situation, what his or her needs and interests are in that situation

• Collaborative strategies

  Definition: conflict management strategies in which concern for the self and the other fully merge, and conflicts are seen as residing within the relationship, thus, only mutually satisfying solutions are acceptable

  Related term(s): Win-win approaches

• Collectivistic cultures

  Definition: cultures that encourage interdependence among members, teaching them the importance of allegiance to in-groups, that provide continued protection in exchange for loyalty

  Related term(s): Tribal cultures

• Communication

  Definition: the process of constructing meaning through the sharing of thoughts, ideas, feelings, and information with others

• Communication resources

  Definition: communication behaviors, skills and competencies that help us accomplish what we want to communicatively

• Communication-facilitation

  Definition: A mediator strategy that uses search for information, instruction, and supportive communication to uncover the nature of the conflict

• Communicative competence

  Definition: learning to achieve language skills and nonverbal skills that promote social interaction, such as making friends and dealing with conflict

• Competing/forcing

  Definition: a conflict resolution style that is win-lose, shows a strong concern for the self but a low concern for the other

  Related term(s): Win-lose approach to conflict

• Compliment

  Definition: a confirming behavior, a way of endorsing someone by saying something positive about him or her

• Compromising

  Definition: a conflict resolution style that involves splitting the difference or a give and take approach, shows a moderate concern for self and a moderate concern for other

  Related term(s): 50-50 approach to conflict management

• Concessions

  Definition: Giving a little on an issue in bargaining to try and come to an agreement