The role of the school psychologist in dealing with conflicts
The role of the school psychologist in dealing with conflicts

Prevention and intervention activities

Author(s): Elżbieta Czwartosz
Subject(s): Psychology
Published by: Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego
Keywords: conflict as a problem; educational programs of conflict resolution; school psychologist as a mediator; mediation services at school; peer mediation
Summary/Abstract: Are school psychologists suitable for spontaneous confl ict mediation at school? Students of psychology increasingly participate in courses focusing on conflict theory, successful communication, negotiation, and mediation. These skills appear to have become part of psychologists’ core qualifications. Their application in professional practice, however, is a separate issue. Successful mediators are likely to be individuals with authority at workplace, advocating constructive conflict philosophy and promoting cohesion in the school environment. Thus, good candidates would offer an innovative range of psychological services: educational programmes of conflict resolution and mediation. This would require the school psychologists, to use a term from metaphoric classification of psychologists’ work methods, to switch from being an “office psychologist” to a “frontline psychologist”. By providing mediation-related services and education, as well as encouraging students, teachers and parents to apply to its principles, school psychologists have the opportunity to promote peaceful conflict resolution procedures.

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