de-escalation techniques
Conflict defusing strategies
De-escalation techniques are methods used to reduce tension, defuse conflict, or prevent a situation from becoming more volatile.
The term appears most often in contexts involving law enforcement, mental health, and customer service.
Common techniques include maintaining calm body language, speaking in a low steady voice, active listening, and creating physical space.
Officers trained in de-escalation techniques were able to resolve the standoff without force.
- mediationIntervention to resolve conflict
- paraphrasingRestating in new words
- empathySharing another's emotions
- active listeningFocused, responsive attention to speech
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
self-awareness · body language · suicide prevention · crisis intervention · talking someone down · consensus-building · grounding techniques · open-ended questions · breathing exercises · compromise · impulse control · time out · low and slow · restorative practices · emotional intelligence · risk assessment · conflict resolution · arbitration
de-escalation techniquesprovocation
Act that triggers response
escalation · incitement · agitation · antagonism · instigation
de-escalation techniquesuse of force
Physical compulsion to comply
fighting fire with fire · strong-arm tactics · show of force · intimidation tactics
de-escalation techniquesverbal aggression
Hostile speech toward others
taunting · mockery · belligerence · browbeating · insults