This kind of "conflict management" involves using posture and body language, tone of voice, and choice of words as a means for calming a potentially volatile situation before it can manifest into physical violence.
Authors and professional instructors offering seminars and workshops have differing views with regard to whether or not verbal self-defense is a form of "persuasion" and if "consequences" for the attacker should be considered a key component.
With specific regard to verbal self-defense in schools the concept of having consequences for bullying is considered by some to be key, where others are less focused on punishment and choose, instead, to put more emphasis on dealing with the aggressor in more positive ways.
[5] Although this topic has only recently begun being addressed by experts in this field it remains to be seen to what degree the importance of consequences will have in handling interpersonal conflicts using verbal self-defense.
[6] Leading authors in the area of verbal self-defense and defensive communication styles offer several different techniques for defusing potentially volatile and/or abusive situations of conflict.
[13] Developed and taught widely in police academy settings, it finds significant relevance in today's everyday workplace as well as schools, public processing centers, help desks and even mall security level guards.
While it may seem counter intuitive, teaching adolescents this valuable skill has shown to reduce frustration in their daily lives as they feel more in control of conflict, while learning how to follow a path to safety and resolution.