Making Sense of Aggression
Sessions: 5
Lecture: 5h 23m
Certificate: 10+ hrs
125 CAD
Aggression problems are deeply rooted in instinct and emotion and are therefore resistant to conventional discipline practices. Dr. Neufeld uncovers these roots and outlines steps to addressing them. His rich professional experience with aggressive children and violent youth informs this refreshing approach to an age-old problem. The principles apply to children of all ages and all settings: home, school and treatment.
As is the case with all our courses, this course features lectures by Dr. Neufeld, carefully curated support for enriched study, study aides, the opportunity to ask questions of trained faculty or course facilitators, a year's access to the campus to enable study at one's own pace, and a certificate of attendance upon completion. For more information, consult the 'about our courses' page.
COURSE SUMMARY
Aggression is one of the oldest and most challenging of human problems. Indications are, that in children at least, it is on the rise. What grabs our attention are the more violating acts of aggression but what is truly alarming is the ground swell of attacking energy within and between our kids that erupts in their interaction, their music, their language, their play, their games and their fantasies. It is the rare parent or teacher that does not encounter aggression in one form or another — be it tantrums, tempers, fits, abrasiveness, abusive language, rude gestures, hostility, racism, taunts, put-downs, bullying, fighting, shaming, belittling, name calling, vicarious enjoyment of violence or the self-attacking forms of death wishes, self-harm and self-deprecation. Such children are unable to benefit from traditional methods of behaviour management. The key to making sense of aggression is to get past the violating behaviour to the emotional experience of the child and to what is missing in the child’s processing or functioning. It is only as the roots of the problem are dealt with that aggression can be effectively addressed.
SUITABILITY/APPLICABILITY
This material has broad application and is suitable for all those involved with children and youth. This aggression courses is taken by teachers, psychologists, counselors, psychiatrists, social workers, family physicians, school principals, probation officers, foster parents, community nurses, therapists and family workers. Parents will find the material invaluable and taking this course when their children are toddlers and preschoolers can head off significant problems. This material has been in demand in educational circles for professional development as well as to help administrators and boards gain some perspective on this escalating problem. It has also been much requested for communities for educating all those involved with aggression and violence, from police and probation officers to counselors and day-care workers.
SAMPLE TOPICS
- uncovering the developmental and psychological roots of the aggression problem
- how to recognize aggression in its many forms
- using the traffic circle model of aggression for purposes of understanding, assessment and intervention
- the roots of the gender differences in aggression
- how to
readaggression effectively - the role of the prefrontal cortex in managing frustration
- separating incident management from addressing the roots of aggression
- how aggression is the opposite of adaptation
- why aggression is increasing among children and why aggression is a part of so many syndromes and disorders
- seven effective points of intervention for aggression problems
- why conventional methods of behaviour management exacerbate aggression problems
- how to handle personal attacks
COURSE OUTLINE
The course is divided into five sessions, each containing approximately one hour of instructional video by Dr. Neufeld. Two optional bonus sessions are included in this course to optimize the learning experience. Student support materials include an illuminating discussion of various case studies plus three Q&As with Dr. Neufeld.
- Session 1 – Reframing Aggression as an Emotional Problem
Building on the pioneering work of brilliant theorists from the last century and combining it with fresh understandings from neuroscience, Dr. Neufeld presents the case of why we need to view aggression through the lenses of attachment and emotion in order to find lasting solutions to the problem of aggression, regardless of the form it takes. - Session 2 – Neufeld's Traffic Circle Model Regarding Aggression
The revolutionary breakthrough for the treatment of aggression comes with the realization that there are different outcomes to frustration that are incompatible with aggression. This refreshing model is remarkedly easy to use and can identify existing trouble points as well as potential intervention points regardless of age, venue or role. - Sessions 3 & 4 – Addressing Aggression Problems: the seven core interventions
The real challenge with an aggression problem (similar to weeds in this respect) is to actually root it out, not just temporarily remove the offensive symptoms. Fortunately, there are a number of ways that this can be done, depending upon role and relationship. This topic is divided between the two sessions. - Session 5 – Handling Incidents: the pitfalls and the guidelines
Most responses to aggression are ineffective over time because they either fail to alter the roots of aggression or they unwittingly aggravate the antecedents. The challenge is to handle incidents in ways that do not make matters worse while at the same time set the stage for interventions that can make a lasting difference.
Bonus sessions: This course includes two bonus sessions that enrich the foundational understandings.
- Bonus Session #1 - Attachment & Aggression
This bonus session offers a deeper dive into how thwarted proximity in attachment is the primary fountainhead of attacking energy and how aggression results from the perfect emotional storm of which peer orientation is a prime example. - Bonus Session #2 - Problems Related to Aggression
Aggression may grab our attention because of how it violates our sensibilities, but an aggression problem never occurs in isolation. The root dynamics that result in aggression can also cause alarm problems of all kinds, bully problems, depression problems, as well as suicidal impulses. This fact confirms the common denominator that needs to be addressed.
Inquiries
If you have questions or require additional information that you cannot find on our website or FAQ page, you may contact our office on our Inquiries page.
Charity & Non-Profit Status
The Neufeld Institute is a registered Canadian charitable organization under the name Neufeld Institute Foundation and is also registered as a NPO in British Columbia. If you would like to make a contribution to us, please go to our donation page.
Stay Connected with the Neufeld Institute
Sign up for our newsletter to receive insights, editorials, and updates on new courses, webinars, and scheduled classes—all rooted in the Neufeld approach. Whether you're a parent, educator, or professional, our resources are here to help you make sense of the children in your care.
You can also follow us on...
Vancouver, BC V6M 1L3
Canada