Approaching Sociocultural Differences and Interpersonal Conflict as Catalysts for Psychospiritual Growth: Group Case Study #2

Abstract

This chapter presents the second learning module of the Know Your Self curriculum, in which students learn that if they approach sociocultural differences and interpersonal conflict proactively with internal composure, rather than responding through habitual modes of stress reactivity, these issues can become sources of psychospiritual growth and new relational skills. The chapter describes six ways that this learning is taught and mentored. First, the curriculum introduces these issues through psychoeducation about group-based stress reactivity to perceived threats. Second, it creates structured opportunities for students to discuss differences in their sociocultural identities. Third, students learn to examine how group-based social dominance hierarchies have affected their psychospiritual development. Fourth, students develop greater religious literacy by reading about a tradition they consider other. Fifth, students examine their conflict engagement styles, exploring their interpersonal behavior under stress. Sixth, students experience naturally occurring in vivo conflicts in their learning community which help them develop restorative dialogue skills and constructive solutions to conflict. As noted (Chap. 6), the learning modules in this curriculum overlap; they are not sequential. Thus, this module is integrated into the student learning experience throughout the curriculum.