Is Nonviolent Communication suitable for everyday life? (PDF)

Bachelor Thesis from the year 2007 in the subject German Studies - Linguistics, grade: 1,3, Bielefeld University, language: English, abstract: Conflicts with our fellow human beings are always part of living together. In the meantime, there are many approaches to dealing with conflicts and overcoming differences. But so far there is none that has been able to establish itself as the only true theory. Could this claim possibly be made for Nonviolent communication? Is it a suitable approach to conflict management? According to Rosenberg, Nonviolent communication can be successfully applied in a wide variety of situations. He includes "close relationships, families, schools, organizations and institutions, therapy and counseling, diplomatic and business negotiations, disputes and conflicts of all kinds."

But is Nonviolent communication an approach that exists not only as a theory, but has its impact precisely where conflicts actually arise, in everyday interactions with others? And can Nonviolent communication also help people in their lives away from conflicts? These considerations have led to an overarching research question: Is Nonviolent Communication suitable for everyday life?

For a better understanding, the first part of the paper will first highlight in detail the basic assumptions of Nonviolent communication, how it came about and how it works, as well as its special features. Four other communication models will be used to further illustrate Nonviolent communication; this part of the paper will be its main focus. Elements from the work of Carl Rogers, Virginia Satir and Friedemann Schulz von Thun, as well as from the model of Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP), will show the extent to which Rosenberg was influenced by other models in the development of Nonviolent communication. On the basis of these models, which were chosen because of their familiarity and recognized success, the suitability of Nonviolent communication for everyday use will also be discussed.

Nonviolent communication will then be examined for dangers. This will be done on the one hand via the theory of cognitive dissonance, on the other hand the aspect of manipulation will be included.