ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the clarifying the dynamics of violent behaviour. The fact is that, in recent literature, violent behaviour has been associated with the inability to reflect. When the capacity to calm and control oneself merges with the capacity to reflect, violent behaviour will be channelled into relational behaviour. Initially, time-out programme was aimed at preventing physical violence, but this has been widened to cover cracking down on escalations in order to prevent physical and psychological damage. The theory on the symbolic order casts light on the workability of the time-out programme. The concept of symbolic order springs from the anthropologist Levi-Strauss. Jaques Lacan developed the importance of the symbolic order for the psyche even further. The time-out programme addresses people to their function, rather than to their personality. It is possible that they are personally deeply wounded by another person, but, in their position as partner or parent, they have to keep their self-control.
