THE
RAISE RESPONSIBILITY SYSTEM
PART III of the
Discipline Without Stress Teaching Model
When I first came upon the
system, it
was the concept of motivation
featured in the hierarchy that initially
grabbed my attention. The hierarchy
was the first time that I had ever seen
anyone explain that high level behaviour is
actually all about personal motivation.
The contrast between the higher levels
points this out perfectly. To me, the hierarchy is absolutely
brilliant, especially because of its
simplicity. When something is simple
enough that even children can understand it
and yet so striking that many adults are
stopped in their tracks by it, it's got to
be something worthwhile!
—Kerry Weisner, British Columbia,
Canada
The
foundational step of
the system
is
TEACHING a hierarchy BEFORE problems occur.
It is the
EFFECT of the hierarchy—how people grow—that
makes teaching it so valuable.
Rather than focusing on
discipline, think of the hierarchy as an
OPPORTUNITY for young people to have a rubric or
reference for making decisions in life.
The Hierarchy of Social
Development
The hierarchy
has four levels (concepts).
As with any hierarchy,
the most advanced or highest level is placed at the top.
After the
concepts have been taught,
reference is made only to the LETTER. For
example, the highest level is referred to as
LEVEL D.
LEVEL D
-
Democracy
(highest level)
Develops self-discipline
Demonstrates
initiative
Displays responsibility
Does good
because it is the right thing to do
The motivation is INTERNAL.
On this level, a person's
MOTIVATION is
INternal. The concept of
democracy is used because democracy and
responsibility are inseparable.
The goal is to aim at this level.
LEVEL C -
Cooperation/Conformity
Considerate
Cooperates
Complies
Conforms
The motivation
is EXTERNAL.
This level is
characterized by consideration and complying
with requests, but the
MOTIVATION is EXternal. Action at this level is
often prompted by
MOTIVATION to please others,
receive a reward, or to avoid a negative consequence.
Most of us live our lives at this level.
A danger exists at this level, however, when
the young conform and comply to peer
influence that may not be in society's or in
the person's best interests.
The difference between the two is in the
MOTIVATION, rather than in the
behavior. For example, if a teacher asks a
student to pick up trash and dispose of it,
and the student does, that demonstrates Level C. If, however, the students see the trash and
takes the initiative to dispose of it
WITHOUT THE TEACHER'S FIRST ASKING, that
demonstrates Level D motivation.
The
BEHAVIOR is often the same. The difference is in the
MOTIVATION.
These two higher levels of
MOTIVATION are
BOTH acceptable.
------------------------------------
The
two lower levels of
BEHAVIOR are
NOT acceptable.
LEVEL B
-
Bullying/Bossing
Bosses others
Bothers others
Bullies others
Breaks laws and makes own standards
Must be bossed to behave
This level is characterized by a
lack of
impulse control, a lack of consideration for
others, and by displaying inappropriate
behaviors. When behaving at this level the young
are sending the message, "Control us because
we are not capable of controlling ourselves."
See
Reducing Bullying.
LEVEL A - Anarchy
(lowest level)
Absence of
order
Aimless and chaotic
Absence of government
Anarchy is the fundamental enemy of
civilization.
This level
is characterized by chaos, being out of control, unsafe.
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To
understand how the hierarchy is designed to
be used, download the pdf:
SIGNIFICANT POINTS.
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Sample hierarchies for primary, upper elementary,
and middle/high school levels are available at
Levels of Development.pdf.
The levels
(concepts) can be taught with examples
from home, from school, and from the
community—as well as with stories and events
from around the world. Eliciting examples
for each
level increases understanding and makes the
concepts meaningful and personal. Read how the
hierarchy was taught by one teacher at
A Butterfly Analogy.
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The following link will be of great
assistance in correcting inappropriate
behavior:
Impulse Management
POSTERS
of the hierarchy are available at
posters.
CARDS of the hierarchy are available at
cards.
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See
Using the Hierarchy to Promote Learning.
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The following
site will shorten the learning curve for those
new to the
Discipline Without Stress® Teaching Model:
A Quick Start.
