Conflict and crisis communication is the management of a critical incident which has the potential for resolution through successful negotiations. This can include negotiating with individuals in crisis, such as those threatening self-harm or taking individuals hostage as part of emotional expression, and also critical incidents such as kidnapping and terrorist activities.
By focusing on the empirical and strong theoretical underpinnings of critical incident management, and including clear demonstrations of the practical application of conflict and crisis communication by experts in the field, this book proves to be a practical, comprehensive and up-to-date resource. Discussion of relevant past incidents – such as the 1993 WACO siege in the United States – is used to enhance learning, whilst an examination of the application of critical incident management to individuals with mental disorder offers groundbreaking insight from clinicians working in this area.
Conflict and Crisis Communication is an excellent source of reference for national and international law enforcement agencies, professionals working in forensic settings, and also postgraduate students with an interest in forensic psychology and forensic mental health.
Reviews
'In a society where we have an ever increasing expectation of instant gratification frustration can in the correct conditions easily transit through anger, on to aggression and into violence. It is perhaps therefore not surprising that those whose work brings us into contact with other human beings can find themselves dealing with aggressive or distressed behaviour somewhere on the crisis continuum.
Conflict and Crisis Communication: Principles and Practice examines in detail the management of the extreme end of the crisis continuum including those threatening self harm, barricade situations and hostage taking. This is a rare book not just in the specialist nature of the subject matter but in the fact that it cared successfully balances theory and practice. Ireland, Fisher and Vecchi draw on their own practical experience to ensure all theory links solidly to practical application.
In addition to examining several models of crisis negotiation the subjects of managing crisis with those suffering from mental illness and cognitive impairment and personality disorder are covered in detail with useful case examples in a range of contexts explored. It is refreshing and realistic to see these chapters containing useful guidance in constructing a framework in which to work collaboratively with the individual in crisis to achieve a peaceful outcome and avoiding using diagnosis to solely structure the negotiation process.
A chapter is devoted to the lesser discussed important subject of ethical considerations within a conflict and crisis situation. Once again the text effectively links theory to practice and encourages the reader to consider issues that are likely to arise and potentially ev...
