Why Friends Fight: teacher key

Arguing and Making Up, grade 10 edition, written for 10th grade. Friends argue more than people who are not friends, and research offers reasons why. Anger, listening and apology each have studies behind them.

Read the book. Print this page for the key.

Questions and answers

What did Laursen and Pursell find about preschool and young elementary school friends?
- They rarely argue before age seven
- About three conflicts per hour (answer)
- They argue only over shared toys
Why might friends argue more than nonfriends?
- They have less to say to each other
- They are less likely to resolve things
- They spend more time together (answer)
What is one way to show you are listening?
- Restating their position first (answer)
- Waiting quietly until they leave
- Ending the talk when it gets tense
What was the main finding of the 1,305 mediations?
- They ended with 1,275 apologies
- They took place in 143 schools
- They resulted in 1,275 agreements (answer)
What does perspective taking mean?
- Choosing a side before hearing the facts
- Seeing things from another's side (answer)
- Telling a friend how you feel right away

Words

empathy: feeling with others
remorse: deep regret
reparation: making amends
perspective: point of view