Chapter 6, Student Web Activities, Sociology and You, Glencoe, 2003

Chapter 6: Groups and Formal Organizations
"Peer Mediation"

Introduction
In this chapter you learned about the different types of groups that form in society, as well as the varying degrees of conflict that sometimes occur as these groups interact. Conflict is a natural part of life, but it should not be allowed to escalate into excessive verbal and physical violence. One solution that increasingly has been adopted by schools to deal with conflict among students is peer mediation. In this activity you will read an article about peer mediation to discover its purpose, process, and potential for success.

Destination Title: Peer Conflict Mediation

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Directions
Start at the Peer Conflict Mediation Web site.

Scroll down the page to read the full text of the article.

After you are finished reading, use what you have learned to answer the following questions.

1. What is peer mediation?

2. Briefly summarize the steps in the peer mediation process.

3. What are the primary objectives of peer mediation?

4. Do you think the fact that peer mediation is student-run is one of the reasons for its success? Why or why not?

5. Devise a plan for a peer mediation program at your school. If your school already has such a program, study it and see if there is anything you would change about it to make it better or more effective. Write up a one-page proposal for your program, making sure to include its goals, how peer mediators will be chosen and trained, when and where mediation could take place, and data that proves the success of peer mediation programs in other schools. Conduct additional research if necessary.