TEACHING STUDENTS TO UNDERSTAND AND CONTROL VERBAL AGGRESSION

This article presents a unit for teaching students to understand and control verbal aggression in their interpersonal relationships. The basic contention here is that the communication discipline should devote considerable attention to verbal aggression because it is a highly destructive form of communication. It is suggested that while there are several courses of action the discipline may take, one which is presently feasible is to include the topic in some of our courses. Theory and research are reviewed, and material for teaching the understanding of verbal aggression is suggested. The second part of the unit deals with methods of controlling verbal aggression and also suggests appropriate classroom activities.