Conflict Management and Development of Perspective Taking Abilities in Cameroon Schools

Abstract

There is a growing concern about violence in schools and society today. In particular, the issue of aggressive behavior and bullying in schools in Cameroon is receiving much attention especially from the government and media. This is not surprising when conflicts managed destructively or left unresolved, escalate and consequently interfere with the learning process and playground harmony. Educators, Guidance Counselors and School Psychologists are presented with the arduous challenge of managing behavioral problems in the classroom, particularly those associated with overactive, disruptive, and aggressive behaviors. This paper discusses the different definitions of conflict, strategies to help prevent school conflict, moving conflict situations toward cooperation, the development of perspective taking in children, and concluding remarks.

Keywords: Conflict Management and Perspective Taking Abilities