Think First: Addressing Aggressive Behavior in Secondary Schools » (New Edition)

Jim Larson, PhD, is Professor of Psychology and Director of the School Psychology Program at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater. He is also a member of the Scientific Board of the Melissa Institute for Violence Prevention and Treatment of Victims of Violence. Before moving to the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, Dr. Larson was a school psychologist with the Milwaukee Public Schools in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and the lead psychologist with the Milwaukee schools' Violence Prevention Program. His principal research interests include the treatment of aggression in children and adolescents, school violence prevention, and training procedures in school psychology. He is coauthor (with John E. Lochman) of Helping Schoolchildren Cope with Anger: A Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention.

This highly practical book presents a complete anger and aggression management training program for middle and high school students. The volume incorporates a newly revised version of the author's proven "Think First" manual, which includes step-by-step skills training guidelines and 20 reproducible handouts and forms. Also provided are a clear rationale for the program and thorough instructions for screening and assessing those students who could benefit most from participation. Showing how to integrate small-group cognitive-behavioral skills training into an effective schoolwide disciplinary framework, the book offers vital tools for promoting prosocial behavior and decreasing violence risks among all students. It is an essential resource for professionals who seek both a better understanding of adolescent aggression and nuts-and-bolts strategies for dealing with it.

1. The Problem and Directions for Change
2. The Context of Aggressive Student Behavior: Creating Effective, Whole-School Environmental Strategies
3. Rationale and Best Practices for Anger and Aggression Management Skills Training
4. Screening, Identification, and Assessment for Anger and Aggression Management Training
5. Getting Started with Anger and Aggression Management Skills Training
6. Introduction to the Treatment Manual
Module I. Introduction, Choices, and Consequences
Module II. Hassle Log and Anger Reducers
Module III. Anger Triggers and Attribution Retraining
Module IV. Self-Instruction and Consequential Thinking
Module V. Social Problem-Solving
Appendices:
A. Current Behavior Screening Form
B. Intervention Record Review
C. Adolescent Interview
D. Brief Problem Assessment Interview
E. Classroom Progress Monitoring Report
F. Multidimensional School Anger Inventory
G. Sample Parental Consent Letter/Carta de Consentimiento de Padres
H. Guidelines for Generalization Support Persons
I. Academic Self-Monitoring Form
J. Think First Training Outcomes
Handouts:
Think First Handout I.1. Behavior A-B-C's
Think First Handout II.1. Hassle Log
Think First Handout II.2. Behavior A-B-C's for an Anger Cue
Think First Handout III.1. Common Thought Triggers
Think First Handout IV.1. Reminders
Think First Handout V.1. Stop And Think
Think First Handout V.2. Finding Alternative Solutions
Think First Handout V.3. Problem-Solving Work Sheet