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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E-mail J'Anne Ellsworth at Janne.Ellsworth@nau.edu

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