Revenge-Seeking Behaviors

I’ll get even!

Characteristics ofRevenge-Seeking Behaviors

•Angry students that rarely have good days.•Retaliating for real or imaginary hurts.•Their folders often use the words “mean,

vicious, or violent.•Maybe physical or verbal attacks.

Revenge-Seeking Types

Active forms types:•Direct physical attacks•Indirect physical attacks•Psychological attacks•Verbal attacks

•Passive form is withdrawl.

How to IdentifyRevenge-Seeking Behaviors

Clue 1: Your emotional gauge is boiling.Clue 2: Our impulsive reaction is to strike back.Clue 3: The student’s response to correction. Revenge-seekers can not change easily or quickly.

Revenge-Seeking Origins

•Violence is everywhere.•Media.•Students’ Legitimate Needs

Prevention Strategies

1.Build caring relationships.2.Teach appropriate expressions of feelings.3.Try to derail the behavior before it escalates.4.Recruit assistance early.

Guideline 1: Avoiding and Defusing Confrontations

Focus on the Behavior, not the student.•Describe the behavior, don’t evaluate.•Deal with the moment.•Be firm and friendly.

Guideline 2: Take Charge of Negative Emotions

• Control negative emotions.• Release negative emotions.

Guidelines 3: Avoid Escalatingthe Situation

Typical teacher responses that usually backfire.•Raising my voice or yelling.• Saying “I’m the boss.”•Using physical force.•Preaching.•Making assumptions.•Nagging.•Throwing a temper tantrum.

Guidelines 4: Discuss Misbehavior Later

1. A firm, direct, and friendly intervention can be held privately.2. Allow some cool down time for the

student and yourself.3. Ensure the student that you care about them.4. If you try to correct the behavior during class it will likely escalate.

Guidelines 5: Allow StudentsTo Save Face

•Students know that you hold the ultimate power. They wanttheir 5 minutes of fame.•By insisting that the studentdo it your way, you may be igniting another confrontation.

Stages of a Classroom Volcano

•Rumbling Stage: Make a graceful exit.•Eruption Stage: Use time-out or call for help.•Resolution Stage: Set consequences and conduct a teacher-student conference.

Let’s Practice WhatWe’re Learned!

In a small group, role play how a teacher can provide an intervention to a student that is a revenge-seeker!