21st Century Learning and Teaching

Civil Courage Can Be Learned

There are behavioral training programs for different age groups (children, adolescents, adults), in which the participants acquire knowledge and skills to show civil courage in different situations and to interfere appropriately. The Institute of Psychology (motivation) of the University of Zurich offers a training program whose aim is to promote civil courage; the program is outlined below. The training’s motto is: “Small steps instead of heroic deeds.” It is based on the latest psychological findings on the conditions of civil courage. According to the column model, knowledge and behavior are strengthened. The training includes the following modules: 

• Reflection of own moral values and experiences related to civil courage; 

• Conveying psychological knowledge about the context of discrimination and violence and the conditions of civil courage; 

• Giving concrete behavior tips what one can do in a critical situation and what one must not do in any case; 

• Practicing concrete civil courage related behavior in role plays and mental simulation exercises; 

• Preparing individual behavior plans for future civil courage situations.