Thomas Gordon

From WikEd

1 Description, definition, synonyms, organizer terms, types of
2 Biography
3 Publications
4 Application in Classrooms and Simular Settings
5 Evidence of Effectiveness
6 Critics and Their Rationale
7 Alternative Explanations due to Diversity Considerations
8 Signed Life Experiences and Testimonies and Stories
9 Related Links
10 References

[edit] Description, definition, synonyms, organizer terms, types of

Description

Thomas Gordon's work, in the simplest terms, can be described as training developed to help people improve their relationships. Through research and observation, Gordon found that when a person listens to another and shows acceptance and trust, healthy relationships can be formed and problems can be solved. The core of the Gordon Model is that consideration needs to be present of all parties involved.

Definition of Key Terms in the Gordon Model (Taken From Gordon Training International)

Active Listening: A method of listening where you reflect back your understanding of what a person says to you. This is meant to confirm to them that you understood their message, and to give them a chance to correct you if you don’t. More importantly, however, this communicates your acceptance of the person’s thoughts and emotions.
Reflective listening: a method of one person feeding back understanding of what another person has said or what they were feeling
Behavior Window: All relationships experience problems at one time or another. Dr. Gordon devised a graphic tool to help people recognize how to define these problems accurately, who "owns" them, and how to solve them: The Behavior Window. Understanding and using this Behavior Window can help you determine which communication skill to use and when and how to use it. This understanding will help you prevent the need to use disciplinary action and eliminate the need to understand other people’s personality type.
No-Lose Conflict Resolution: A six-step method for resolving conflicts so that all parties are satisfied with the solutions. When all parties are invited to participate in problem solving, higher quality solutions are usually arrived at. Also, solutions that all parties find and agree to are more likely to be implemented. The effectiveness of this can be more easily explained by the common sense Principle of Participation: People are more motivated to comply with decisions which they had a part in reaching.
I-Messages: An I-Message is a tool for influencing others to change behavior that somehow interferes with your ability to meet your needs. It's a non-blameful, non-judgmental description of the unacceptable behavior, how it affects you and how it makes you feel. They are so effective because you are confronting someone else's behavior and not attacking the person. As a result, other people will be much more likely to change their unacceptable behavior.

Synonyms/Organizer terms

participative management
student-centered teaching
democratic leadership
group-centered leadership model

Types of Training using the Gordon Model

Parent Effectiveness Training (P.E.T.)
Teacher Effectiveness Training (T.E.T.)
Leader Effectiveness Training (L.E.T.)
Family Effectiveness Training (F.E.T.)

[edit] Biography

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Thomas Gordon is considered to be one of the most "influential classroom management theorists" (Gordon Training International). He was a licensed clinical psychologist, receiving his B.A. from DePauw University, his M.A. from Ohio State University, and his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago, where he served on the faculty for five years. He served in the Army Air Force from 1942-1946. As a world-renowned psychologist, Dr. Thomas Gordon, authored the book Parent Effectiveness Training (P.E.T.) and founded Gordon Training International of Solana Beach, California. Thomas Gordon passed away on August 26, after a bout with prostate cancer, at the age of 84. He was married to Linda Adams, the president of Gordon Training International, and had two adult daughters and two grandchildren. (Gordon Training International)

Thomas Gordon's Credo is copywrited. To view it see the Gordon Training Interational website.

Affiliations & Awards

Dr. Gordon was a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and a member of its Division of Peace Psychology. He was also a member of the National Peace Foundation, the Association of Humanistic Psychology, and a past President of the California Psychological Association. He was the first recipient of the Career Achievement Award from the National Parenting Instructors Association. He was a consultant to the 1970 White House Conference on Children and an invited speaker to the White House Fellows.

Dr. Gordon was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997,1998 and 1999. He was the recipient of the American Psychological Foundation's 1999 Gold Medal Award for Enduring Contribution to Psychology in the Public Interest. He was also the recipient of the 2000 Lifetime Achievement Award from the California Psychological Association.

[edit] Publications

Books

Group-Centered Leadership
Parent Effectiveness Training (P.E.T.)
Leader Effectiveness Training (L.E.T.)
Teacher Effectiveness Training (T.E.T.)
Parent Effectiveness Training in Action, Discipline That Works
Sales Effectiveness Training (co-authored with Carl Zaiss)
Making The Patient Your Partner (co-authored with W. Sterling Edwards, M.D.)
Good Relationships; What Makes Them, What Breaks Them (co-authored with Noel Burch)

His books have been published in 28 languages and over 6 million copies have been sold worldwide.

In addition, Dr. Gordon contributed over 50 published articles on organizational leadership, communications, counseling, discipline, parenting, conflict resolution and democratic decision-making.

Sample Articles

Articles by Dr. Thomas Gordon:

[edit] Application in Classrooms and Simular Settings

The Teacher Effectiveness Training (T.E.T.) was created to give teachers the means for "influencing students' behavior in the classroom" so the teachers could "spend more time doing what they're good at-teaching." During the T.E.T. training, "Teachers learn how to manage their classrooms in ways that encourage students to cooperate and participate. Students learn skills to deal with conflicts with peers, teachers, and parents-skills they will use throughout their lives in all their relationships." Gordon Training International

Free Resources for Teachers "If you would like to reprint these articles, we ask that you please list the author and our website address: www.gordontraining.com" (taken from the Gordon Training Website):

[edit] Evidence of Effectiveness

Evidence of the Effectiveness of the Gordon Model can be seen through the amount of popularity of his trainings. Despite his death, the Gordon Model still lives on through trainers throughout the United States. The Gordon Model's effectiveness is also proven through the evolution of his training series. He began his crusade with the Parent Effectiveness Training (P.E.T.) and parents found the recommended techniques so effective, they requested that Gordon develop a training program for schools. The parents felt strongly that the techniques used in the home were successful and they want their children to experience the same environment in the school setting. From this request, Gordon developmed the Teacher Effectiveness Training (T.E.T.) model. The evolution of the training occured again through Gordon's development of the Leaders Effectiveness Training (L.E.T.). And finally, the Family Effectiveness Training (F.E.T.) was created.

[edit] Critics and Their Rationale

I have not found any critics to the Gordon Model.

[edit] Alternative Explanations due to Diversity Considerations

[edit] Signed Life Experiences and Testimonies and Stories

I have found that my classroom functions much smoother and my students are much more productive when I listen to their needs and concerns. I have started practicing active listening and it has made a large difference. This is especially true because I teach college aged students and they want to be treated as adults, rightfully so. If there are grade disputs I allow the student to voice his or her opinion and we discuss the matter, trying to reach a peaceful agreement. This process has allowed my classroom to be place of comfort and trust for all parties involved. --Benish 09:15, 5 May 2005 (CDT)