ABSTRACT
Since a positive culture cannot flourish in an atmosphere of chaos, an initial step in solving problems is to bring behavior within reasonable limits. In beginning PPC, staff do not suddenly give up control or abolish rules and regulations. Instead, established measures of discipline should continue until the students are able to assume responsibility for all behavior. As a positive group emerges, previous control measures can be gradually supplanted. Although intensive problem solving occurs in the group meeting, youth must assume the responsibility for managing problems whenever and wherever they arise. PPC groups exercise this responsibility in two main ways:
1. Checking: As a student begins to show a problem, the group gives him a cue or reminder to control himself. For example, if a person becomes angry and it appears that he may lose his temper, the group simply says to him, "Check yourself." This provides instant feedback on the unacceptability of the behavior and calls on the youth to control himself. In situations when verbal checking is inappropriate, students can give nonverbal cues to one another.
