Sullen
Students
Technique:
Sullenness may signal a student who has deeply ingrained anger and feels
helpless and stranded from ways to get basic needs met. Speak firmly,
clearly and with concern. Recognize the anger and offer a specific time
and place for engaging in mutual disclosure of needs.
Procedures: This is usually a manifestation of passive-aggressive
behavior and it is a secondary or reactionary means of learning to express
anger or hostility rather than a natural outlet of emotion. Since sullen
students are expressing anger in a covert manner, it is best not to cooperate
by moving into a reactive or defensive position which their actions (or
lack of) offer. It is also unwise to reinforce the behavior by undue attention.
These students do need assistance, and they are letting people know about
it. It is also important to remember that "anger is catching!"
Guard against picking up the anger and personalizing it or allowing it
to unknowingly invade emotional space.
The teacher verbally acknowledges that s/he sees that the student has
needs and that s/he is using this form to express them. State unemotionally
and gently a time when this issues can be discussed (right, don’t respond
with an edge or sarcasm, since that engages in the covert expression and
in a sense says, "Ante up!") Do not engage is threatening, coercing,
pleading or teasing. These invest power in the student’s unsocialized
expression without teaching better communication and coping skills.
Provide communication skills instruction for the learning community
(Value lessons, learning community). Assist students to reflect on needs
and find the most effective way to engage others in negotiating those
needs. Suggest and practice ways that will facilitate students exploring
and coming to better understanding of inner feelings.
Often, a student with this demeanor could benefit from a positive therapeutic
relationship. Though some students just use pouting and sullenness as
a ploy and one of many ways to manipulate others and achieve ends, some
students are much more troubled. A sense of simmering rage which comes
from hopelessness and lack of trust that others will care or help is very
powerful and can be destructive to the student.
Medical concerns: If the student is heavily invested in this pattern
of behavior, a referral is important. Some deeply troubled youth may be
suffering from depression and entertaining thoughts of suicide.
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