In Commemoration of International Conflict Resolution Day
October 15, 2020 5:1 Kindness Challenge is back!
What separates healthy and happy relationships from miserable ones is a balance of positive to negative interactions. Studies in the field of social psychology show that it takes five positive interactions to make up for every one bad encounter you have with someone. It is called the 5:1 Magic Ratio.
Some examples of simple positive interactions that can make someone’s day.
- Pay someone a compliment.
- Offer a few encouraging words.
- Give a two thumbs ups.
- Smile and say thank you.
- Make someone laugh.
We challenge you to the 5:1 Kindness Challenge in order to build and maintain healthy relationships and to lay foundation for civility under any circumstances!
Step 1: Sign the Kindness Challenge Pledge
Download the pledge form here -> Kindness Challenge 2020 Pledge Form
By signing, you commit to:
- Initiating five (5) positive interactions each day for one month starting October 15 and beyond.
- Recognize and share kindness you observe in our community so we can collectively bank 5 acts of kindness for every 1 negative action in this very trying year.
Step 2: Post Your Pledge
Take a photo of your signed pledge and post it on your Facebook, Instagram and/or Twitter account using #KindnessMatters2020. Don’t forget to tag Conflict Resolution Alliance (CRA Hawaii) so we can follow your progress and cheer you on!
Step 3: Spread the Word about Spreading Kindness
- Invite one person (or more if you would like) to join you in the challenge.
- Recognize and share kindness you observe in our community on your Facebook, Instagram and/or Twitter using #KindnessMatters2020 and tag Conflict Resolution Alliance (CRA Hawaii).
Challenge Brought to you by:
- Conflict Resolution Alliance
- The Mediation Center of the Pacific
- The Matsunaga Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution
- The Hawaiʻi State Bar Association, ADR Section
- The Hawaiʻi State Judiciary Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution
Research Footnotes:
- John Gottman, Professor of Psychology at the University of Wisconsin, researched marriages and found that there is a “magic ratio” of 5 to 1—in terms of our balance of positive to negative interactions. Gottman found that marriages are significantly more likely to succeed when the couple’s interactions are near that 5 to 1 ratio of positive to negative.
- Barbara Fredrickson and Marcial Losada’s mathematical modeling of positive to negative ratios found that workgroups with positive to negative interaction ratios greater than 3 to 1 are significantly more productive than teams that do not reach this ratio.