Life-Situation Interventions: Interpersonal Chapter 6 © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Chapter Overview Asserting yourself Asserting yourself Conflict resolution Conflict resolution Communication Communication Effective time management Effective time management Social support networking Social support networking © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Definitions to Know Assertive behavior: satisfying own needs, but not at the expense of others Assertive behavior: satisfying own needs, but not at the expense of others Non-assertive behavior: giving up wishes and needs in order to satisfy others Non-assertive behavior: giving up wishes and needs in order to satisfy others Aggressive behavior: seeking to dominate others and meet needs at the expense of others Aggressive behavior: seeking to dominate others and meet needs at the expense of others © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Assertiveness Theory Assertion theory: premise that everyone has certain basic rights Assertion theory: premise that everyone has certain basic rights What are your basic rights? What are your basic rights? © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Verbal/Nonverbal Assertiveness Nonverbal assertiveness: body language consistent with verbal assertiveness Nonverbal assertiveness: body language consistent with verbal assertiveness Verbal assertiveness: DESC formula divided into four parts Verbal assertiveness: DESC formula divided into four parts –Describe situation –Express feelings –Specify change –Consequences of the outcome, regardless of change © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Conflict Resolution Techniques 1.Active listening: repeat the other person’s words/feelings (paraphrasing) 2.Identify your position: state thoughts and feelings about the situation 3.Explore alternative solutions: brainstorming © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Types of Communication Nonverbal communication (e.g., body posture) Nonverbal communication (e.g., body posture) Verbal communication Verbal communication –Plan time to talk without distractions –Listen and paraphrase –Begin with a point of agreement © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Types of Communication (cont.) Verbal communication (cont.) Verbal communication (cont.) –Use “and,” not “but” –Use “I” statements –Avoid “why” questions © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Time Management Techniques Assess how you spend time Assess how you spend time Set goals (short term to long term) Set goals (short term to long term) Prioritize (ABC lists) Prioritize (ABC lists) Create a schedule Create a schedule Maximize your rewards Maximize your rewards © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Time Management Techniques (cont.) Say “no” Say “no” Delegate Delegate Evaluate tasks once Evaluate tasks once Use the circular file Use the circular file Limit interruptions Limit interruptions Invest time initially Invest time initially © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Did You Know? Time management experts say that we get 80% of our rewards from only 20% of our activities Time management experts say that we get 80% of our rewards from only 20% of our activities Conversely, we get only 20% of our rewards from 80% of the time we spend Conversely, we get only 20% of our rewards from 80% of the time we spend This tells us we need to focus more on the activities from which we will reap the most benefit This tells us we need to focus more on the activities from which we will reap the most benefit © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Social Support Belonging, being accepted, loved, or needed Belonging, being accepted, loved, or needed Three types of social support Three types of social support –Tangible support (e.g., money, car) –Emotional support (e.g., care and concern) –Informational support (e.g., advice) © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Social Support (cont.) Social support may help manage stress in two ways: Social support may help manage stress in two ways: –Direct effect theory Helps prevent stressors from occurring Helps prevent stressors from occurring –Stress buffering theory Buffers the effects of stressors Buffers the effects of stressors © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Interesting Research Lack of social support may be related to poor quality of life, poor health, or illness Lack of social support may be related to poor quality of life, poor health, or illness –Depressed women –African American women –Youth in an urban community –Adherence to medication for AIDS patients –Abandonment of children with Down syndrome © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Life-Situation Interventions: Interpersonal Chapter 6 © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.