Theme 3: Interpersonal Relationships�
What is Interpersonal Relationships ?
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Objectives
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Module 3: Description of Activities
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S. No. | Activities | Methods |
1 | Understanding Others’ Emotions | Discussing situations |
2 | Nurturing Positive Relationships | Brainstorming |
3 | Dealing with Unhealthy Relationships | Case study |
4 | Communicating Assertively | Role play |
5 | Building Harmonious Relationships | Case study |
6 | Resolving Conflict | Role play |
Activity 1: Understanding Others’ Emotions
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Learning Outcomes
Situations
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1 | Reena and Pintu came home late, after playing. As they entered the house, dad said, “Reena, what’s the time? I have told you hundreds of times to be back before dark?” Reena said, “You always scold me and never say anything to Pintu.” Dad said, “Don’t compare yourself to him. He is a boy!” |
Video
Situations
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3 | Today is Jemy’s first day in his new school. The teacher asks him to sit next to Ranjan. Jemy tries to interact with Ranjan but Ranjan does not talk to him much. During the lunch break, Jemy looks at his crutches and thinks that he will never have friends. He starts having his lunch alone. That’s when Suraj comes to him and invites him to join his group for lunch. |
Video
Understand others’ emotions
Character | Emotion |
Jemy | |
Ranjan | |
Suraj | |
Situations
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4 | Parveen and Nuzhat are siblings. Parveen is four years older than Nuzhat. Some days back, Parveen told Nuzhat that she and her friends bunked school and went to see a fair. She asked Nuzhat not to tell anybody. Somehow, Ammi sensed it and asked Nuzhat if she knew anything about it. When Ammi asked too many questions, Nuzhat told her the truth. |
5 | Balvinder was waiting in a long queue at the bus stop. As the bus came closer to the stop, people started boarding. As Balvinder was about to board, a boy came running, broke the line, pushed Balvinder aside and boarded the bus. Balvinder fell and missed the bus. |
Video
Discussion
Explain the meaning of the word ‘empathy’.
Empathy is different than ‘sympathy’.
Sympathy means feeling sad or pity for someone’s sorrow or misfortune.
Empathy means to be able to see things from the viewpoint of others that is, getting into someone else’s shoes; understanding and sharing others’ thoughts, feelings and emotions.
Empathy is important because it enables us to connect with people around us and build relationships.
What is OLA
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OLA
Summary of discussions
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Activity-2: Nurturing Positive Relationships
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Learning Outcomes
Activity Description
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ME
Strengthening Relationships
Relationship | Action Points | By when |
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| | |
| | |
Summary of discussions
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Activity-3.3: Dealing with Unhealthy Relationships�
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Learning Outcomes
Unhealthy Relationships
Case studies: Discuss Strategies to address these situations
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1 | Laali’s maternal uncle comes to stay at her home from time to time. He places a lot of restrictions on Laali. When he arrives, Laali is unable to meet her friends or go out of the house. Meeting her friends becomes very infrequent and erratic. Laali becomes quiet and fearful and she almost stops talking and laughing. |
2 | Amandeep has speech impairment. She loves studies and likes going to school. Her only fear in school is her class teacher, who never wanted her in the class. The teacher could not be bothered with a girl who couldn’t speak. She taught the class as though Amandeep was not present. When Amandeep would score low in tests, the teacher would often tell her that she should just stay at home. |
3 | When Iqbal joined the school hostel, a group of senior boys started bullying him. Soon this became a routine and they started threatening Iqbal of bad consequences if he did not do their work. Sometimes they would ask him to wash their clothes, give his snacks and money to them. Iqbal felt very scared in the hostel and has started keeping quiet and losing his confidence. |
4 | Ronny has come to stay at her cousin Sonam’s house. Sonam welcomed her warmly but she wants Ronny to her all the time and not meet or play with other friends. Ronny wants to do other things and talk to other friends too. |
Video
Video
Summary of discussions
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Activity-4: Communicating Assertively
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Learning Outcomes
Role Play
Your friend borrowed your book and lost it. You want your friend to buy a new book for you. You decide to discuss this issue with your friend.
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Passive Style
Aggressive Style
Assertive Style
• Friend: Hey, I am not able to find the book, I borrowed from you three days back. I have been searching for it, but I think I lost it.
• You: Oh. Search for it again please. Check with your friends too, may be one of them has taken it.
• Friend: I have searched the same everywhere, also checked with my friends but can’t find it.
• You: I am sad because I need that book urgently for the upcoming class test. I gave it to you and you lost it.
• Friend: I am sorry for losing your book. I suggest you buy a new book.
• You: I can see that you have tried your best to find the book. I feel upset that you expect me to buy the book. I think it is not right to request my parents for extra money for this book. I request you to find a way to get the book for me.
• Friend: I am sorry. You are right, it is my fault and I will find a way to buy the book and give it to you.
Types of Communication
Passive: A person does not share wants, needs, desires or opinions. Passive communication gives you the feeling that your opinion doesn’t matter and you do not have a voice. It can lead to anger, frustration and other negative emotions.
Aggressive: A person shares needs, wants, desires and opinions at the expense of others. This style may make you feel better in the moment, but you may lose relationships and may have difficulty forming new relationships.
Assertive: This form of communication is characterised by honesty and a direct approach. Assertive communication is a healthy and positive style of communication that all of us should aspire to use. Being able to express our feelings/ thoughts without hesitation or anger may often seem difficult but this leads to resolving many conflicts.
Summary of discussions
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Activity-5: Building Harmonious Relationships
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Learning Outcomes
Case studies
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Points for discussion
Case studies
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Points for discussion
Video
Points for discussion
Video
Case studies
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Points for discussion
Points for discussion
Video
Summary of discussions
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Activity-6: Resolving Conflict
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Learning Outcomes
Situation-1
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The school principal has decided to conduct elections to select the Head Boy and Head Girl from this year onwards. For this purpose, the learners who are interested in contesting the elections have been asked to campaign for votes. The learners from all classes and sections can vote and elect their representatives in a democratic way.
Raman has been dreaming of becoming the Head Boy of the school. However, he is feeling threatened by another boy, Karan, who is quite popular in school. So, he decides to approach some of his friends in other classes to help him get votes. Saurabh, his friend from another section, promises to get Raman the necessary support from his class. However, Raman does not get elected. One of the major reasons for his defeat is the lack of support from the other sections, including Saurabh’s class. Raman is very upset with the result and is particularly angry with his good friend, Saurabh for not helping him.
Video
Summary of discussions
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Scenario 1: Explode
Raman approaches Saurabh after the results of the elections. He is clearly very upset. He raises his voice and says that he is very hurt because Saurabh did not support him. He thought that Saurabh was a good friend but he lied and did not help him! He storms off without giving Saurabh a chance to respond.
Points for discussion
Scenario 2: Avoid conflict
Raman is walking towards the class and sees Saurabh in the corridor. Raman quickly turns around and walks in the opposite direction. He tells himself, “it’s better if he does not see me. Then I don’t have to talk to him about the problem.”
Points for discussion
Scenario 3: Pretending to ignore
Raman greets Saurabh and starts talking to him about various other things (studies, sports and other general topics). He does not mention his feelings about what has happened. They have a pleasant conversation.
Points for discussion
Scenario 4: Attack
Raman begins speaking from across the classroom to Saurabh. He speaks loudly for other people to hear what he has to say. He accuses Saurabh of being a liar and cheater. He says that he realises that he was wrong to trust Saurabh.
Points for discussion
Scenario 5: Work together to find a solution
Raman approaches Saurabh. He says that he thinks Saurabh did not try to convince his classmates to vote for him even after promising him. Saurabh explains that he tried his level best to convince his classmates to vote for Raman but his classmates thought that Karan would be a more competent and deserving candidate. Saurabh says that he is sorry about that and Raman realises that Saurabh is equally upset about the final results.
Points for discussion
Further discussion
Different approaches to deal with conflict
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Explode
Avoid
Pretend to ignore
Attack
Work together to find a solution
Steps to resolve conflicts
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Observe
Listen and acknowledge
Ask to clarify
Communicate
Come to a consensus
Action
Build a relationship
Thank You