The following strategies are from a range proposed by Phillips and Fraser
(1982). They can be used as starting points for developing your own thoughts in
this area.
Example of avoidance or denial in action
|
Person's strategy
|
Possible way of confronting it
|
| Person uses generalizations as a basis for believing that
he/she cannot do anything differently. That
is the way the system is and people must learn to cope. |
Generalising |
"How specifically does this relate to the children that
you actually teach?" "Do you really feel that Powerless?" |
| Person uses a catastrophic fantasy as an excuse for avoiding
responsibility and not taking action. I
couldn't possibly do that, my colleagues would never speak to me again. |
Creating catastrophies |
"Would it have to end up that way?" "What is
the worst thing that could happen?" |
| Person talks about anything and everything rather than face
up to his/her particular problem. It's
funny how things happen, I went to see David the other day and .... |
Rambling |
Focus on "what" and "how" rather
than "why". |
| Person blocks out awareness of any internal dialogue between
an experience and his/her own feelings and thoughts. That
doesn't worry me at all. |
Creating internal blocks |
"Not the slightest bit?" "That doesn't seem
to match your non-verbal messages" |
| Person blocks out awareness of other people's behavior and
attitudes. I don't think that children
really worry about tests. |
Creating external blocks |
"Have a look at __, What do you see?"
"What are you aware of?" |
| Person minimises his/her own feelings or the extent of
his/her problems as the basis for believing that they don't have to be
faced. It
doesn't matter, honestly, it is not really worth worrying about. |
Minimising |
"Does it really not matter? You obviously thought it
worth talking about". |
| Person has rigid expectations of others and frequently uses
them as a basis for subsequently being angry or disappointed. After
all I've done for this school I expect better treatment than this. |
Creating rigid expectations of others |
"How long have you had this expectation?"
"What are the consequences of you having this expectation?" |
| Person uses old rules of behavior even though they are not
helpful in dealing with current problems and relationships. We've
never done that sort of thing in this school. |
Sticking to obsolete rules |
"How does that rule help in this situation?" |