Dr. Terrence Webster-Doyle, Ph.D., AEPT is Founder and Director of three independent schools and has taught at the secondary, community college, and university levels in Education, India Studies, Psychology, and Philosophy.  He has worked in Juvenile Delinquency Prevention and has developed counselling programs for Youth-At-Risk. Dr. Webster-Doyle has earned a Masters Degree in Psychology, and a doctorate degree in Health and Human Services.  He has a lifetime secondary and community college teaching credential. He also has been awarded a 6th degree black belt in The Art of Karate, and has studied and taught the martial arts for over 45 years. Dr. Webster-Doyle has also produced numerous conferences and workshops on New Directions in Education.  He was the Founder and Director of Martial Arts for Peace Association, Director of the Atrium Society, and Co-director of the Atrium School whose intent is to explore psychological conditioning. A prolific writer Dr. Webster-Doyle has produced 55 internationally acclaimed award winning peace education books and curricula.

BioCognetic Conflict Education™

Dr. Terrence is the founders of BioCognetic Conflict Education™ (cognitive-emotive-bio-reactive conditioning) ~ the Scientific Study of Human Conflict Created by Conditioned Thinking

To clarify how conditioned prejudicial thinking creates conflict, Dr. Terrence created a context for understanding the whole of prejudicial conditioning–how it impacts the human brain mentally, emotionally and physically, and how it extends from the playground to the battlefield. This pioneering field is based on the initial insights of modern notable thinkers, including quantum physicist Dr. David Bohm, educational philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti and authors Aldous Huxley and George Orwell.

The first step in this process was to create a rationale for a consistent, scientific, empirical framework to comprehend conditioned prejudicial thinking as a whole. The second step was to expand awareness of the nature, structure and implications of conditioned, prejudicial thinking that lead to human conflict at all levels. The third step was to expand awareness of conditioned, prejudicial thinking beyond its psychological make-up to include a holistic insight into the involuntary, automatic, three-stage, reactive configuration of conditioning in the mechanical organization of the human brain that produces an internal environment of discord. The next logical step was to create a significant justification to bring this urgent issue to the forefront of education as an essential subject matter in teaching young people to understand and peacefully resolve conflict created by conditioned prejudicial thinking. The final step was to create appropriate educational resources and training for teachers to teach about the cause and effects of this critical concern. (http://www.atriumsoc.org/resources-overview.php)

As stated above, the main intent of BioCognetic Education™ is to design a comprehensive insight in teaching young people about the basic factors of conflict-creating conditioning and escalation-prevention. BioCognetic Education™ is also designed to provide therapists with a thorough understanding of the multiple causes of prejudicial conditioning so they may assist At-Risk youth to cope with the effects of bullying caused by this situation. Thus, BioCognetic Education™ can be effectively applied as a multi-purpose program. (http://www.atriumsoc.org/programs-practical.php)

From the individual to the group, conflict begins identically with conditioned pre-judgments. An unexamined thought initiates a domino effect of fearful emotions, which in turn trigger the biological fight-or-flight system. Although this may be necessary when there is real danger, it is inappropriate when prompted by an unverified, imagined threat. This cognitive, emotive, bio-reactive coupling produces a powerful psychosomatic reaction of conflict internally and externally. In BioCognetic Education™ this situation is called a “CEB” or a “Cognitive–Emotive–Bio-reactive.” The term CEB encompasses the whole of prejudicial conditioning, not just the cognitive or mental process initiating this domino effect of the three-stage process. As soon as one becomes conscious of this process, one can avoid conflict at the primary prevention level. In other words, by recognizing the underlying structure at this fundamental level, one can prevent conflict from happening as it occurs, and therefore be free from having to react out of it. But this awareness is based on the assumption that the fundamental, bio-reactive, holding pattern of this part of the brain can be properly attended to.

BioCognetic Education™ has been expressly designed to reflect the nature and structure of bullying that creates any conflict in the way we have been conditioned to think and act. BioCognetic Education™ uses the relevant context of bullying to demonstrate the cause and effect of prejudicial conditioning because all ages can relate to it. Young people can most easily understand prejudicial conditioning if it is grounded in their real, daily experiences. From the concrete rather than the abstract, they can come to understand what prejudicial conditioning is, how if affects them, and how it impacts the world. (http://www.atriumsoc.org/framework.php)

At the same time young people are taught about the fundamental structure and nature of bullying, they are introduced to a specially designed system of mental and physical self-defence skills called MAP S.T.A.R.S. (Mental And Physical Safe Tactical Alert Response System). In this way, the young person not only gains insight into the initial impulse of conditioned prejudicial thinking at the primary or prevention level, but also learns to work out conflict at the secondary or resolution level by the use of verbal, de-escalation techniques. In addition, the young person at the tertiary or management level also builds confidence through avoiding a freeze, fight or flight reaction to both an immediate potential threat, as well as future supposed threats that are caused by the bio-reactive fight or flight system that gives the prejudicial conditioning its biological authority. By inhibiting the reinforcement of old, psychological and emotional impulses, this unique process creates a space in the biologically reactive system for creative, new actions.

When an event occurs that disturbs us, automatic thoughts enter our brain so fast and so mechanically that we don’t notice them. And if we don’t notice them, we certainly won’t question them. Still, they affect our attitude, our mood, our body and our ability to function clearly. These thoughts, based on either false information or a misperception of reality, are often referred to as “cognitive distortions.”

When a conditioned thought/emotion triggers one of these distortions, it typically stimulates the bio-reactive survival system in the old brain. This situation occurs when we can’t see through the falsehood, and the old brain is reacting to the image as if it were true. But if we can counteract this with an observational viewpoint, we can see how a conditioned prejudicial image (say, of a bully) can jump in and lie to us about a need to protect ourselves.

However, the problem occurs when we can’t see through the falsehood and the old brain is reacting to it as if it were true. Whether in bullying situations or in regular daily life, recurring cognitive distortions cause us unnecessary conflict. Even when the outer stimulus of a bully, for example, is removed, this triggering process can get internalized. In BioCognetic Education™ this is called “looping” or “biocognosis™”, as the stimulus spins around and around, with the old bio-reactive brain constantly sending messages of a “threat” to the cognitive and emotive parts of the system, when, in fact, there is none at all.

It is most significant that this biological flight or flight system can be triggered inappropriately by an image of a threat when the actual threat is not there. This part of the brain cannot differentiate between an actual threat and a supposed one. Behind the psycho–emotive conditioning, this deeper biological (“bio-reactive”) conditioning holds or locks the initial psychological image of a threat in place. No amount of rationalization can reach that deeper place. We have to get to it by the back door, that is, by going through the body to give the deeper, biological/bio-reactive conditioning what it wants–to feel confident that it can fight, that this more primitive part of the brain can deal with the threat by preparing the body to defend itself. This part of the brain only “knows” that there is a “threat” created by an image and to it, it is “real.” This is very evident in young people we call Youth-At-Risk who have been continuously abused and therefore perceive the world as a threat, even though they may be in a non-threatening situation. In other words, the biological fight or flight system—the bio-reactive part of the old brain survival system— is stuck in the “on” position.

To disrupt this biocognosis™ looping pattern, young people are taken into to a safe, controlled environment where they are taught the MAP S.T.A.R.S. set of self- defence techniques. This purposely triggers the flight or fight mechanism while simultaneously instilling the confidence to be able to “fight”. All the old brain really desires is to feel able to protect itself from harm, whether real or imaginary. Remarkably, even a little physical training goes a long way. This process has worked especially well with youth-at-risk as a therapeutic process, although it is applicable to everyone, whether they have been a victim of serious bullying or not. As the participants integrate their newfound insights with the newly acquired physical ability to handle hostile situations, prejudicial conditioned ideas of imagined enemies fade and automatic triggers are extinguished.

In the same way that homeopathy works through a system of “like curing like,” developing this specialized set of self-defence skills cures the need to use those skills. The primitive brain acknowledges them with confidence, and relaxes. As one becomes conscious of this newfound insight into prejudicial conditioned patterns of thinking, feeling and acting, one becomes aware of the potential to be creative in each fresh, new moment. Thus, BioCognetic Education™ brings an enhanced proprioception both mentally and physically to the very foundation of conflict. Through role-playing in a variety of practice situations, and through developing a rational understanding of and insight into conditioned, prejudicial, young people thrive in this environment of non-violent alternatives for resolving conflict. (More: http://www.youthpeaceliteracy.org)

Bibliography

Books for Young People

• Why is Everybody Always Picking On Me?–A Guide to Handling Bullies (English)
• Why is Everybody Always Picking On Me?–A Guide to Handling Bullies (Russian)
• Why is Everybody Picking on Us?–Understanding the Roots of Prejudice
• Facing the Double-Edged Sword–The Art of Karate for Young People
• Tug of War–Peace Through Understanding Conflict
• Fighting the Invisible Enemy–Understanding the Effects of Conditioning
• Eye of the Hurricane
• Maze of the Fire Dragon
• Flight of the Golden Eagle
• Breaking the Chains of the Ancient Warrior
• Operation Warhawks
• Martial Arts Masters–Black Belt Warriors for Peace
• Respect–The Martial Arts Code of Conduct
• My First Martial Arts Book

Books for Adults

• Growing Up Sane—Understanding the Conditioned Mind
• Brave New Child—Education for the 21st Century
• The Religious Impulse—The Quest for Freedom
• Peace - The Enemy of Freedom—The Myth of Non-violence
• Karate - The Art of Empty Self
• One Encounter One Chance
• Dr. Webster-Doyle’s Martial Arts Guide for Parents
• The Complete Guide to the Bully –Victim Cycle–From the Playground to the Battlefield
• Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors
• BioCognetic Education–The Scientific Study of Human Conflict
• Educating the Whole Child–An Introduction to BioCognetic Education
• Healing the Whole Child–An Introduction to BioCognetic Therapy

Curricula

• Why is Everybody Always Picking On Me?–A Guide to Handling Bullies
• Why is Everybody Picking on Us?–Understanding the Roots of Prejudice
• Why Are We Always Picking On Each Other–War–What Is It Good For?
• Why Are We Always Letting the Bullies Pick On Them?
• The Bystander: Villain or Victim
• Why Are They Always Getting Picked On? Youth-at-risk
• Why Am I Always Picking On Myself? Making Friends with your Inner Bully
• Why Do We Bully? Understanding the Causes of Bullying
• Derrotar al Matón Sin Luchar (Spanish Bully curriculum)
• Defeat the Bully without Fighting
• Defeat the Bully the Smart Way
• Character for Kids Life Skills
• Who Put This War in my Brain?
• Awareness: Exploring the roots of conflict
• Mastering Martial Arts Manners
• Respect–The Act That Conquers Fear
• Respect, the martial arts Code of Conduct
• Understanding: Creating peace
• As Easy as A.B.C–Part One –Twelve Ways to Act with Respect
• As Easy as A.B.C–Part Two–Twelve Ways to Walk Away with Confidence
• Stranger Heightened Awareness Response Program
• P.A.L.S Positive Action Life Skills–12 Personal, Social, Coping Skills
• R & R–Rights Responsibilities
• Understanding: Creating Peace–Two Levels

Workbooks

• Why is Everybody Always Picking On Me?–A Guide to Handling Bullies
• Why is Everybody Picking on Us?–Understanding the Roots of Prejudice
• Awareness–Exploring the Roots of Conflict
• Martial Arts for Peace MAP S.T.A.R.S. (Mental And Physical Safe Tactical Awareness System)

Programs

• The Bully Buster System
• The Character for Kids Kit
• The Character Development –Life Skills (comprehensive) Program

Videos

• Solving Conflict Peacefully–Martial Arts for Peace
• Education for Peace in the 21st Century–The Atrium School
• How to Defeat the Bully the Smart Way–Part One and Part Two

Trainings/Seminars/Conferences

• Education for Peace–Bullying from the Playground to the battlefield
• Youth-At-Risk–MAP S.T.A.R.S.
• Martial Arts for Peace–Character Development and Conflict Education
• Metamorphosis Responsive Seminars
• BioCognetic Education–The Scientific Study of Human Conflict
• Isn’t It About Time–Teaching Peace Education

Endorsements

• Awarded the Robert Burns Medal for literature by Austria's Albert Schweitzer Society, for "outstanding merits in the field of peace-promotion"
• Selected by the International Association of Educators for World Peace for their Central American peace education project in Panama and El Salvador
• Acclaimed at the Soviet Peace Fund Conference in Moscow and published in Russia by Moscow's Library of Foreign Literature and Magistr Publications
• On permanent display at the International Museum of Peace and Solidarity in Samarkind, Uzbekistan, the Commonwealth of Independent States.
• Why is Everybody Always Picking on Us? explores the roots of prejudice. I don't think I've seen another book like it. How wonderful if this book could be used in social studies classrooms! I have learned where prejudice begins, how it is created, how it is perpetuated, and how it can be resolved. This book looks at stereotypes, bigotry, discrimination, scapegoating, racism, and more. It is a wonderfully comprehensive manual for young people and adults alike on understanding our conditioning and the root of prejudice.” American Pride Through Education
• "Webster-Doyle's insight is that by recognizing, understanding, and accepting our violent tendencies, we can avoid acting them out. These new books . . . are good for teachers and parents of elementary school children who need appropriate language and activities to help children deal with their feelings and the violence-provoking parts of the environment. To this reviewer, they are realistic and practical." —Young Children–Magazine of the National Association for the Education of Young Children
• "The book excels at impelling children to understand how conflict works within themselves. Tug of War offers engaging exercises that enhance a child's ability to understand the world. These exercises inspire self-observation, and the drawings of award-winning illustrator Rod Cameron enliven the book." Forum ­– Newsletter of Educators for Social Responsibility
• Fighting the Invisible Enemy and Tug of War recommended by the Elementary School Library Collection as "fine contributions to materials for children"; both books also chosen by the British Commonwealth Collection–A Selection of Books and Journals on Non-violence and Social Change
• "Every publication from the pen of this author should make a significant contribution to peace within and without. Highly recommended!"—New Age Publishers and Retailers Alliance Trade Journal
• Why Is Everybody Always Picking On Me?—cited by the Omega New Age Directory as one of the Ten Best Books, for its "atmosphere of universal benevolence and practical application"
• Dr. Lawrence Shapiro of the Center for Applied Psychology described Dr. Webster-Doyle as an "eloquent leader of the movement to combine principles of education, psychology, and the martial arts to teach young people to resolve conflict peacefully."
• Selected by the National PTA as a recommended resource for parents.
• "We use his books and thoroughly endorse the usefulness of his methods which have high potential in schools."–Stewart W. Twemlow, M.D. Psychiatry and Psychoanalysis, Menninger Clinic
• Endorsed by Scouting Magazine and Sports Illustrated for Kids
• Endorsed by Mothering Magazine
• Nine time Winner of the Benjamin Franklin Awards for Excellence in Independent Publishing - in six consecutive years
• Selected by the American Booksellers Association for its resource listing of "Children's Books About Peace"
• "These topics are excellent and highly relevant. If each of the major countries of the world were to have ten Drs. Webster-Doyle, world peace is guaranteed to be achieved over a period of just one generation."—Dr. Charles Mercieca, Executive Vice President International Association of Educators for World Peace, NGO, United Nations (ECOSOC), UNICEF & UNESCO
• "The books of Dr. Webster-Doyle are the first attempt I have seen to explain to young people and adults the concept of martial arts as a peaceful, non-violent 'way of life' and to give students the tools to accomplish this goal." - Linda Lee Cadwell
• "Helps young people deal with conflict and violence by describing practical skills for peace." —Holistic Education Review
• "I realize Why Is Everybody Always Picking On Me? urgency for every child and adult . . . My daughter couldn't stop reading it!"—Marina Dubrovskaya, Assistant Director Dept. of Sociology, Lenin Library, Moscow, Russia
• "Your book (Why Is Everybody Always Picking On Me?) has really helped me ignore the bullies and in a way stop bullying others." - 4th grader
• Presented the National Conference on Peacemaking & Conflict Resolution
• "The materials were very helpful to the facilitators who conducted the workshop on bullying strategies." – New Jersey State Bar Foundation
• Endorsed by the New York City Board of Education

External links

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• Internet Movie Database
• Martial Arts For Peace - Dr. Webster-Doyle's Website
• BioCognetic Conflict Education™
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