Aggressive behavior by children
and adolescents continues to be a serious and increasing problem in our
schools, on the streets, and in our communities. Aggression Replacement
Training (ART) is a multimode intervention designed to alter the behavior of
aggressive youth, reduce anti-social behaviors, and offer an alternative of
pro-social skills. ART has been implemented across the nation since its
creation in 1987. It has been the focus of many research studies and has
proven to reduce offending behavior. ART is an intensive ten-week
life-skills program in which the youth attends one-hour group sessions three
times per week. In these sessions, participants gain tools that allow
them to solve problems, make decisions, and interact positively in social
situations. The ART curriculum consists of three components: Structured
Learning Training (The Behavior Component), Anger Control Training (The
Emotional Component), and Moral Reasoning (The Values Component).
- Structured Learning
Training - Is the teaching of a series of interpersonal skills that
address various social situations and is an alternative to aggressive
behavior. An example of a few of the skills being taught would be:
"Making a Complaint", "Keeping out of Fights", and
"Understanding the Feelings of Others". Each youth will
role-play the skill in group and, with practice and feedback, will progress
to using the skill outside the classroom.
- Anger Control Training
- The focus is on teaching youth self-control in dealing with their
anger. Techniques for reducing and managing feelings of anger in
difficult situations are introduced and role-played. The goal is to
empower the youth through positive anger control methods. This enables
them to have a variety of options in dealing with a problem rather than the
single option of aggression.
- Moral Reasoning - A
new problem situation is presented to the group each week, with each group
member responding to questions to the moral dilemma presented in the
scenario. This component is designed to help correct the youth's
thinking errors and lead him or her to see there are other ways of acting in
different situations. Throughout the group discussion, youth are
exposed to the different perspectives of other group members. The
purpose of the discussion is to facilitate mature reasoning in order for the
youth to make more mature decisions in social situations. The group
does not teach values.
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