Healthy vs. Unhealthy
A relationship built on trust, respect, honesty, and mutual support would be classified this way.
What is a healthy relationship?
Communicating your needs clearly and respectfully describes this communication style.
What is assertive communication?
Understanding and sharing another person's feelings is called this.
What is empathy?
Influence from people your age that affects your choices is called this.
What is peer pressure?
Friends, family members, teachers, coaches, and mentors who provide encouragement and guidance can form this.
What is a support network?
Constant criticism, manipulation, and attempts to control another person are examples of these.
What are unhealthy relationship behaviors/red flags?
Saying “yes” when you really mean “no” is most closely associated with this style.
What is passive communication?
During conflict, this should happen before trying to prove your side is correct.
What is stay calm and listen?
Saying “No, I'm not doing that” clearly and respectfully uses this skill.
What is assertiveness/refusal skills?
Welcoming different people, respecting differences, and challenging stereotypes demonstrate this.
What are inclusion and acceptance?
Jordan's friend disagrees with Jordan but still listens, respects Jordan's decision, and remains supportive. Identify the healthy relationship characteristic being demonstrated.
What is respect/mutual support?
“You always ruin everything! You're impossible to work with!” represents this communication style and gives one reason why it is ineffective.
What is aggressive communication because it attacks/blames the other person instead of solving the problem?
Two students disagree about how to complete a project. They identify what they both want the final project to accomplish. They have found this.
What is common ground/a shared goal?
A student's friends encourage them to join the school play even though they are nervous. Is this peer pressure automatically unhealthy?
What is no — peer influence can also be positive?
A friend frequently puts you down but says, “I'm only joking.” Which detail matters more when determining whether the behavior is healthy: the person's intention or the repeated impact on the relationship?
What is the repeated disrespectful impact/constant criticism is a warning sign even if it is called a joke?
One friend decides who the other person may talk to, becomes angry when they spend time with other friends, and checks their phone. Explain the biggest concern.
What is control/manipulation and lack of respect for boundaries?
Rewrite this statement using assertive communication:
“You're so annoying. Stop talking over me!”
What is something like “I feel frustrated when I'm interrupted. Can I finish what I was saying?”
Alex believes Sam ignored a text intentionally. Instead of immediately becoming angry, Alex asks Sam what happened and listens to the explanation. Which two relationship skills are being demonstrated?
What are empathy and active listening/healthy conflict resolution?
Your friends want you to do something that conflicts with your personal values. Identify two strategies that would make resisting the pressure easier.
What are assertively saying no, leaving the situation, remembering your values, and/or seeking supportive friends/adults?
During the Human Knot activity, one person shouted instructions while ignoring everyone else's ideas. Connect that behavior to an unhealthy relationship concept.
What is control/lack of respect for others' voices and perspectives?
Two friendships both involve disagreements. Friendship A includes arguments followed by calm discussion and compromise. Friendship B includes insults, threats, and one person always getting their way. Explain why disagreement alone does not determine whether a relationship is healthy.
What is how people communicate and resolve conflict matters more than whether disagreement occurs?
A student claims that assertive and aggressive communication are basically the same because both involve telling people what you want. Evaluate the claim.
What is incorrect — assertive communication clearly expresses needs while respecting others; aggressive communication may use hostility, blame, intimidation, or disrespect?
Two friends disagree. One says, “Fine, we'll always do what you want.” The argument stops immediately. Why is this not necessarily successful conflict resolution?
What is ending an argument is not the same as solving it; healthy resolution should consider both perspectives and seek compromise rather than one person always giving in?
Someone argues: “If all of my friends approve of a decision, then it must be a healthy decision.” Analyze the flaw in this reasoning.
What is popularity does not determine whether a decision is healthy; decisions should also consider values, consequences, safety, and reliable information?
Maya and Chris have a disagreement. Maya clearly explains her concern. Chris listens without interrupting, explains another perspective, and they agree on a solution neither originally suggested. Identify four healthy relationship skills demonstrated.
What are assertive communication, active listening, empathy/perspective-taking, and compromise/conflict resolution?