Relationships Flashcards
Positive effects satisfying relationships have on us
Equality, belonging, acceptance, happiness, support, affection, trust, commitment, love, care, safety, intimacy, humour
Poor destructive relationships can have negative effects on our wellbeing:
Anxiety, low self esteem, fear, depression, loneliness, self harm, embarrassment, harassment, lack of social skills
Qualities of equal and respectful relationships:
Positive relationships involve positive qualities such as love, trust, empathy, intimacy and commitment, as well as effective skills in communication, conflict resolution and decision making. It is these qualities and skills that enhance relationships
Love
A deep affection for or attraction to someone or something
Trust
Having confidence in the honesty and reliability of someone or something
Empathy
Being able to identify with someone else by putting yourself in their shoes
Negotiation
The settling of disagreement while respecting the rights of all involved
Intimacy
Being extremely close or familiar with someone; being personally attached
Commitment
Fulfilling all promises; honouring what you have said you will do
Power
The ability to do something or to make something happen
Communication
The sending and receiving of messages, either verbally or non-verbally
Conflict resolution
Bargaining to reach an argument
Decision-making
Being able to make an informed judgement or conclusion
Developing healthy and positive relationships involves a range of skills. These factors include:
Communication skills- include active listening, showing empathy, negotiation, conflict resolution and assertiveness
Decision making skills- include setting ground rules and boundaries
Power in relationships-is understanding the positive and negative use of power
These skills increase our ability to develop and maintain equal and respectful relationships
The importance of communication
Good communication can enhance a relationship with a lack of communication harms (or can even ruin) relationships. Communication is a skill and can be improved through practice. Communication skills involve more than just talking and listening. Active listening, showing empathy, negotiating, resolving conflict and being assertive are all part of communication.
Active listening
A listener pays close attention to the speaker and concentrates on what they are saying. Eye contact and body languages show the speaker that the listener is interested. The listener then repeats what they have heard, but puts it into their own words. This makes the speaker feel like they are really being heard. It doesn’t necessarily mean the listener agrees with the speaker, but it is a way to show the listener understands what is being said.
Empathy
Is being able to identify with and understand how another person is feeling. To empathise with someone, you must be aware of their feelings.
Empathy and sympathy
Empathy is often said to be completely focused on the other person where as sympathy is about you and your response to the other person.
Negotiation
Is used to reach compromise. Both people in a relationship need to give and receive until a solution which they can both agree on is reached.
Conflict resolution
The process of resolving conflict and moving on in the relationship. May involve:
• Revealing personal thoughts and feelings
• Admitting being wrong
• Apologising and accepting apologies
• Compromising
• Accepting criticism
• Accepting others viewpoints
• Seeing the conflict from the other person’s point of view
• Promising to change a behaviour or attitude
Not holding a grudge
Assertiveness
Assertive communication involves clearly and confidently stating an opinion or request while listening to and respecting the feelings of others. Assertive communicators don’t just accept what is said without stating an opinion, or verbally attacking another person. Assertive communicators are more likely to get what they want while maintaining happy relationships.
Ground rules
It is important when starting a new relationship to have a clear idea of both your own and the other person’s expectations. It allows for both peoples views to be respected
Physical Power
Physical force exerted by a person, or the threat of harm to another person
Personal power
The degree of control an individual has over their own decisions. This could be described as the ability or freedom to make and follow through with your own decision.
Examples- whether to accept a job, do drugs, attend a party
Social power
Is expressed in the way different people relate to each other, or in social dynamics. E.g. popular groups more power
Sometimes this power depends on financial status, education, race, age or gender
e.g. a group of people excluding an individual who they perceive as being different is a display of power
Institutional power
Or structural power is often seen in schools, workplaces, politics and sport. Some people have authority over others because of their position of responsibility. This position of power is usually linked to their expertise or experience. Often we accept and trust people who are in positions of authority because we experience this type of power from an early age.
Example- children in Australia are expected to do what their parents tell them.
Abuse
Means to wrongly mistreat someone or something, and to insult and corrupt practice.
Assault
Refers to a physical or verbal; violent attack, a threat, or attempt to harm another
Abuse and assault…
Are often a result of a person misusing power.
Sexual harassment
Is based on gender stereotyping. It is often normalised, may appear to be trivial or is accepted a teasing. It is behaviour that is not welcome, asked for or not returned, and that offends, intimidates, or humiliates someone on the basis of their sex.
Examples: making jokes about a female being stupid
Making sexual comments about a person or their appearance
Teasing a girl about her bra size or a boy about his facial hair
Sexual assault
A crime in which there is unwanted or forced sexual contact with another person. It may be touching in a sexual manner or forcing a person to have sex against their will, sexual assault is a serious abuse of power.
Decision making process
- State the problem
- Gather info about the options available to you
- Examine the different options available, using this info
- Consider the consequences of each option
- Select the best option and take action
Evaluate your decision to see if it was the right one for you to take
